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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Australian government has announced that YouTube will be among internet media platforms that must ensure users are at least 16 years old from December.

YouTube was listed as an exception in November last year, when Parliament passed the world's first law that would ban children under the age of 16 from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X.

 

YouTube opposed the decision

The age restrictions will take effect from December 10 and platforms will be fined up to A$50 million if they fail to take responsible steps to exclude underage users. These steps have not yet been defined.

 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said online platforms are having a negative impact on children and reminded internet media of their social responsibility. He wants Australian parents to know that we are with them.

 

YouTube says it is used by almost three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15 and should not be classified as internet media because its main activity is hosting videos. A YouTube spokesperson said: 'YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content. It is not internet media.'


Read More: The FBI has placed a $50,000 bounty on Hamid, the killer of an Indian-origin mother and her 6-year-old son; his father was the next target.

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