Zhong Guo Xin Wen Wang·2025-07-30 21:25Core Viewpoint - The Australian government has announced legislation to include YouTube in a list of social media platforms banned for users under 16 years old, aiming to protect children from potential harm caused by social media algorithms [1] Group 1: Legislative Changes - The Australian government submitted the "2025 Cyber Security (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules" to parliament, which will impose a ban on YouTube for users under 16 [1] - Social media platforms that fail to implement responsible measures to prevent minors from using their services could face fines up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately USD 32 million) [1] Group 2: Government Statements - Australian Prime Minister Albanese stated that the operation of social media platforms could harm children, emphasizing the need for age restriction laws to help children grow and communicate in the real world [1] - The legislation aims to free children and teenagers from the constraints of algorithms, promoting resilience in their development [1] Group 3: Company Response - A spokesperson for YouTube argued that the platform is a high-quality video-sharing service increasingly accessed via television, not a social media platform [1] - YouTube expressed disappointment over the government's decision, which contradicts previous commitments to exclude the platform from the ban, and indicated that it would consider further actions while continuing discussions with the Australian government [1] Group 4: Historical Context - In November of the previous year, the Australian parliament passed the "2024 Cyber Security (Minimum Age for Social Media)" amendment, which prohibited users under 16 from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, while YouTube was initially exempted [1]