Australia’s government has extended its existing social media law to include a ban on YouTube for children under the age of 16. This decision aligns with the country’s initiative to protect teenagers from harmful online content. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made the announcement on Wednesday, explaining that the ban is an extension of a law designed to shield young people from the perils of social media.
Initially, YouTube had been exempted from this restriction due to its widespread use among educators. However, following a survey by Australia’s internet regulator that revealed 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on the platform, the government has reversed its stance on exempting YouTube.
Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized the importance of safeguarding minors from the potential dangers of online platforms, stating that social media should not be allowed to use predatory algorithms to target children.
In response to the ban, YouTube released a statement clarifying that it considers itself a video-sharing platform rather than social media. The company expressed its commitment to reducing online harms and intends to engage with the government regarding the ban’s implications for the platform.
Wednesday’s decision could rekindle tensions between Alphabet, which owns YouTube, and the Australian government. A similar dispute arose in 2021 when Alphabet threatened to limit Google services in Australia in response to a law requiring the tech giant to pay news outlets for content featured in search results.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/australia-adds-youtube-to-social-media-ban-for-under-16s/a-73459548?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
