<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>YouTube will be included in a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/under-16-social-media-ban-why-youtube-inclusion-in-government-proposed-ban-is-controversial/b2774de1-2aaf-41e6-891a-26bc70d0a465" rel="" target="_blank" title="national social media ban"><span>national social media ban</span></a><span> for kids aged under 16, the federal government has confirmed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Google-owned platform lobbied for the government to make it exempt from the ban, claiming it is a "video streaming platform" and not a social media platform.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced YouTube will be captured in the landmark legislation alongside other age-restricted platforms Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-couple-esta-problem-cruise-cancelled-face-ban-from-travelling-to-usa-exclusive/c776994f-92cf-458f-b1d8-7de44ed985fa" target="_blank"><strong><span>Aussie couple's dream holiday ruined over US immigration debacle</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other online services which don't fall under the ban will include online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These services are excluded in the ban because the government said they pose fewer harms to children under 16 or are subject to different laws.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Social media platforms listed in the legislation will be subject to the ban from December 10 this year.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/social-media-ban-youtube-included-in-federal-government-ban-for-under-16s/50da2a9d-21ce-44f8-8c40-1c90e165f92e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The social media giants face fines of up to $49.5 million if they "fail to take responsible steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/michigan-walmart-stabbing-bystanders-stop-attack-on-11-people/12d77ebe-10c8-46d7-ae4c-48713fe37b23" target="_blank"><strong><span>Armed with just a trolley, Matthew rammed into mass stabber</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Social media has 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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant recommended to Communications Minister Anika Wells that YouTube be included in the ban after the draft rules were released in June.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wells said there is "no one perfect solution" for ensuring kids are safe online but said today's announcement would make a positive difference.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The rules are not a set and forget, they are a set and support," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are heavy penalties for companies who fail to take reasonable steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services of up to $49.5 million.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/police-hunt-gunman-who-shot-police-officer-civilians-manhattan-us/c545d211-0267-4535-a2fb-5372d477de94" target="_blank"><strong><span>Four dead, including police officer, in Manhattan shooting</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>YouTube has argued it should be exempt from the ban as it would restrict political freedom and prevent people under 16 from contributing to political discourse by posting videos and making comments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has also argued that by allowing children to log in to the platform, it enables safety guardrails specifically designed for younger people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/google-threatens-to-sue-australian-government-arguing-youtube-is-not-social-mediax/afaa4b74-d3c6-4be2-bd5f-e1416c89ea4e" target="_blank" title="Google has also threatened to sue the Australian government"><span>Google has also threatened to sue the Australian government</span></a><span> if YouTube is roped into the ban after writing to Wells announcing it would consider its legal position.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The government was firm in its decision that YouTube would be excluded because it is different and because of its value to younger Australians. This intention was repeatedly made clear in its public statements, including to the Australian Parliament," a spokesperson for YouTube told 9news.com.au earlier today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"However, signals that the government is contemplating an abrupt policy reversal have prompted us to seek further clarity on this matter.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our position has always been clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform, not a social media service, that offers benefit and value to younger Australians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have written directly to the government, urging them to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and protect the age-appropriate experiences and safeguards we provide for young Australians."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>