YouTube is banned in this country! Social media is completely banned for teenagers

Youtube Ban: Australia has tightened the social media ban for youth under the age of 16 and has now brought YouTube under its purview. Earlier the government had exempted this platform but now it has also been included. This U-turn by the government has increased the possibility of a legal conflict with Google's parent company Alphabet.

Youtube was also considered a risky platform

A recent report by the Australian Internet Regulator revealed that 37% of minors had to face harmful content on YouTube. This figure is more than any other social media platform. On this basis, the government was recommended to include YouTube in the ban.

Prime Minister's blunt words
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement saying, "Now the time has come to stop this. Social media is having a negative impact on Australian children and we have to take strict action in their interest." He assured the parents that the government stands with them.

YouTube's clarification
YouTube's response said that their platform is mainly for sharing videos and it should not be classified as social media. The company's spokesperson said, "YouTube is a video library that people also watch on TV. It is not social media.".

Opposition to Meta, Snapchat and TikTok
When the government exempted YouTube last year due to its popularity among teachers, other platforms like Meta, Snapchat and TikTok opposed it. They said that YouTube also has many social media elements like interactive features and algorithm-based content suggestions.

Only teachers and parents will be able to run YouTube
After the ban is implemented, teenagers will not be able to run YouTube accounts themselves, although teachers or parents will be able to show videos to them. Australian Primary Principals Association chief Angela Falkenberg said that teachers will always choose appropriate content.

Clash with Alphabet possible again
Alphabet has already clashed with the law in Australia, when it was forced to pay the media in exchange for news content. Now YouTube seems to be preparing for a legal battle once again. However, YouTube has not confirmed the court case.

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According to this law passed in November, social media companies will have to ensure that children under the age of 16 stay away from their platforms. If they fail to do so, they can be fined up to 49.5 million Australian dollars.