Australia exempts YouTube from social media ban for minors, raises concerns

Australia's government has enacted a law banning social media access for children under 16, targeting platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, while controversially exempting YouTube. The government argues that YouTube serves as a valuable educational tool, despite concerns from experts that it exposes young users to harmful content, including extremism and addiction. Critics emphasize that the platform's algorithm can promote dangerous material, paralleling the content found on the banned sites. The legislation is among the strictest worldwide, with fines for non-compliance, yet it has drawn scrutiny over the rationale for YouTube's exclusion. Surveys show that YouTube is the most popular social media platform among Australian teens, raising questions about the effectiveness of the law in safeguarding youth. The government maintains that children will still have access to educational resources while imposing these restrictions.