A decision that exempted YouTube from Australia’s ban on teen social media use has been overturned. A youth social media law will go into effect in December.

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.

Last week, Australia’s internet regulator highlighted a survey showing 37% of minors reported harmful content on YouTube

Australia is banning YouTube for children under 16, widening the scope of a landmark social media law that aims to protect teenagers from harmful content online.

“Young people under the age of 16 will not be able to have accounts on YouTube,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday.

The Alphabet-owned video-sharing platform had been previously granted an exemption due its popularity with teachers.

Last year, Australia was the first country to propose a ban on social media for teenagers. 

Sites covered by the ban, such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, have protested the proposed ban.