The Australian government has announced it will include YouTube in its social media ban for children under 16 years of age, reversing an earlier exemption for the Alphabet-owned video platform. This decision follows a formal recommendation from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and is part of Australia's broader effort to restrict access to social media platforms for teenagers, citing concerns over harmful content. The ban, which will take effect starting December 2025, aligns YouTube with other platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X that are already covered by the legislation. The move is described as a world-first social media restriction aimed at protecting young users. The inclusion of YouTube could prompt legal challenges given the platform's global reach and significance. This policy shift reflects Australia's increasing regulatory approach to online safety for minors.