Australia adds YouTube to social media ban for under 16s

[kenny]

It sounds like a great idea, but then I'm not parent of an adolescent who tortures and bullies me.

Could such a ban happen in America?

Australia adds YouTube to social media ban for under 16s – DW – 07/30/2025

Australia has reversed a decision that omitted YouTube from its ban on social media platforms for teenagers. A youth social media law will come into effect starting in December.

www.dw.com

 

[Avondale]

This only affects creating an account.

Everyone can access YouTube without an account just fine. This won’t limit kids from watching stuff on YouTube, only their ability to have an account, comment on videos, and be targeted by algorithms.

 

[kenny]

Perhaps preventing kids from being "targeted by algorithms" was the point.
I don't know.

Also, I think "adult" content must be viewable only by those with age-verified accounts - because once in a while I'll be surprised by a popup warning that I must be logged in to view something that's blocked from kids, and I wasn't even attempting to view pron.