Australia widens social media restrictions, bans YouTube for teens
PTC News Desk: The Australian government has widened the restrictions on social media including YouTube. The government has banned the usage of all the social media platforms including YouTube for children under sixteen.
The policy, which is set to take effect from December, will penalise social media platforms that fail to comply with fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32.2 million).
the decision follows internet regulator's appeal to the government to overturn the YouTube carve-out, citing a survey that found 37% of minors reported harmful content on the site, the worst showing for a social media platform.
"I'm calling time on it," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement highlighting that Australian children were being negatively affected by online platforms, and reminding social media of their social responsibility.
"I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs."
The ban is set to take effect from December.
YouTube says it is used by nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15, and should not be classified as social media because its main activity is hosting videos.
"Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It's not social media," a YouTube spokesperson said by email.
- With inputs from agencies
