• Australia adds YouTube to its ban on social media accounts for those under 16.
• 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on YouTube, the highest among platforms.
• The move aims to protect children's mental health and limit exposure to online dangers.
• The ban takes effect in December, imposing heavy fines for non-compliance.

Australia has announced a major policy shift, including YouTube in its world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16, reversing a previous exemption. This decision follows an alarming report from the internet regulator, indicating that 37% of minors reported exposure to harmful content on YouTube, the highest rate among social media platforms, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to state, "I'm calling time on it," emphasizing the negative impact of online platforms on Australian children, according to Reuters, Reuters, and Reuters.

The ban, set to take effect in December, prohibits children from creating accounts, although they will still be able to view content without an account. This regulatory measure has drawn criticism from YouTube, which argues that it should not be classified as a social media service due to its primary function as a video-sharing platform. A spokesperson stated, "Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content," according to BBC and Bangkok Post.

Additionally, the government aims to address concerns surrounding "predatory algorithms" and cyberbullying, with Communications Minister Anika Wells affirming the ban is intended to shield children from these vulnerabilities. "We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are," she remarked, further noting that nearly three-quarters of Australian children aged 10 to 15 use YouTube, highlighting its significant presence among younger audiences, according to India Times, India Times, and India Times.

The legislation allows for fines up to A$49.5 million ($32.2 million) for non-compliant platforms, encouraging tech companies to implement stringent age verification measures. The Australian government’s decision has sparked discussions on digital safety in social media, with critics worrying about the implications for parental and children's rights on digital platforms. "I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids," asserted Minister Wells, as the government prepares to refine its enforcement strategies based on pending reports on age-checking technologies, as reported by India Times and The Jakarta Post.