Australia has taken a significant step in its efforts to safeguard young users by expanding its social media ban for teenagers to include YouTube, reversing a previous exemption. This move comes after the country’s internet regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), urged the government to remove the exemption, citing a survey that revealed 37% of minors encountered harmful content on the platform. This rate is the highest among social media platforms, prompting authorities to take action.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the issue, stating,