Australia has declared it will extend its pioneering ban on social media use among teenagers to include YouTube, reversing an earlier exemption for the Alphabet-owned video platform. The decision follows a recommendation from the nation’s internet regulator, which highlighted survey data showing 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on YouTube.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government’s commitment, stating, "Social media have a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms, so I’m calling time on it. I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs."

The expanded ban is scheduled to take effect in December and will now cover YouTube alongside other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. YouTube, argued by many for its distinct nature as a video-hosting service, is used by nearly 75% of Australians aged 13 to 15. A spokesperson for YouTube contended, "YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media."

Despite this, critics note parallels between YouTube and other social media products, including user interaction features and algorithm-driven content recommendations. Cybersecurity expert Adam Marre of Arctic Wolf noted, "Artificial intelligence has supercharged the spread of misinformation on social media platforms such as YouTube. The Australian government’s move to regulate YouTube is an important step in pushing back against the unchecked power of big tech and protecting kids."

The revision is likely to reignite tensions with Alphabet, which previously threatened to withdraw some Google services from Australia in response to legislation requiring payments to news outlets for content. While YouTube reportedly indicated plans to challenge the government's reversal legally, it has not confirmed such threats.

The law enacted last November mandates that social media platforms take "reasonable steps" to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing their services, with penalties reaching up to AUD 49.5 million for non-compliance. The government is awaiting an upcoming report on age-verification tools, which will guide enforcement actions.

This development marks a significant move in Australia's effort to protect young internet users from harmful online content by holding technology companies accountable for their platforms' impact on youth.