00:00Australia says it will include YouTube in its world-first ban on social media for teenagers,
00:07revising an earlier decision to exclude the platform that could lead to a legal challenge.
00:12The change followed a recommendation from the Internet Regulator, which cited a survey showing
00:1637% of minors had seen harmful content on YouTube, the worst showing for a social media platform.
00:23The decision broadens the ban set to take effect in December.
00:26YouTube, used by nearly 75% of Australians aged 13 to 15, argues it should not be classified as social media
00:33because its main activity is hosting videos.
00:36A YouTube spokesperson says, quote,
00:38Since the government said last year it would exempt YouTube because teachers often use it,
00:51other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have complained.
00:56They argue YouTube is similar to their apps, with features like user interaction and algorithm-based content suggestions.
01:03Under the ban, teens under 16 can't have YouTube accounts,
01:07though parents and teachers can still show them videos.
Comments