{ BIG TECH } SOCIAL MEDIA FIRMS WILL BE FINED UP TO $32.2MN IF THEY BREAK THE LAW Oz widens teen social media ban to YouTube

Australia said on Wednesday it will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge.

- Reuters

The decision came after the internet regulator urged the government last month 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 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.”