Australia Widens Teen Social Media Ban to YouTube, Scraps Exemption

Australia said on July 30 that 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.

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SYDNEY - Australia said on July 30 that 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.

The decision came after the internet regulator urged the government in June to overturn the YouTube carve-out, citing a survey that found 37 percent 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 companies of their social responsibility.

"I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs."

The decision broadens the ban due to take effect in December.