       Australia has added YouTube to its list of banned social media platforms for children under 16, expanding a law aimed at shielding teens from harmful online content. The Alphabet-owned site had previously been exempt due to educational use, but was included after a survey showed 37 percent of minors encountered harmful content there.
The law, introduced in November 2024, already covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. It takes effect December 10, 2025. Companies failing to comply face fines up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The move marks Australia’s tough stance on teen online safety.
