Australia expands social media ban to include YouTube for teens

Australia announced that it will include YouTube in the sites covered by its ban on social media for teenagers, reversing a previous decision to exempt the video-sharing site owned by Alphabet. This move could lead to a legal challenge.

The decision was made after the internet regulator recommended last month that the YouTube exemption be overturned. A survey revealed that 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on the platform, making it the worst-performing social media platform in this regard.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated, \"I'm calling time on it,\" emphasizing that Australian children were being negatively impacted by online platforms and stressing the social responsibility of social media companies. He assured Australian parents, saying, \"I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.\"

This decision expands the ban, which is set to be implemented in December.

YouTube argued that it should not be classified as social media since its primary function is to host videos and is used by nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15. A YouTube spokesperson reiterated that YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, primarily viewed on TV screens.

Other social media platforms like Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have raised concerns, pointing out similarities between YouTube and their products, such as user interaction and content recommendation algorithms based on user activity.

The ban prohibits YouTube accounts for individuals under 16, allowing parents and teachers to show videos to minors. Angela Falkenberg, president of the Australian Primary Principals Association, supported the ban, emphasizing the role of teachers in curating appropriate resources.

Adam Marre, chief information security officer at Arctic Wolf, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in spreading misinformation on platforms like YouTube. He praised the Australian government's move to regulate YouTube as a step towards countering the influence of big tech and safeguarding children.

The decision to include YouTube in the ban may lead to a new conflict with Alphabet, which had previously threatened to withdraw Google services from Australia to avoid a law requiring payment to news outlets for content displayed in searches.

Despite potential legal challenges from YouTube, Communications Minister Anika Wells affirmed the government's commitment to protecting Australian children. The law mandates social media platforms to take \"reasonable steps\" to prevent individuals under 16 from accessing their services, with penalties for non-compliance.

The government is awaiting a report on age-checking products, which will impact the enforcement of the ban.

According to the source: RTE.ie.