Australia announced on Wednesday that it will include YouTube in its groundbreaking ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier exemption for the popular video-sharing platform owned by Alphabet.

This decision could lead to a legal challenge from the company.

The move follows a recommendation from the internet regulator, which urged the government to eliminate the YouTube exemption after a survey revealed that 37% of minors reported encountering harmful content on the site—making it the highest among social media platforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the need to protect Australian children from the negative impacts of online platforms, stating, “I’m calling time on it.” He reassured parents that the government is committed to their children’s safety online.

The expanded ban, set to take effect in December, prohibits YouTube accounts for users under 16, although parents and teachers can still show videos to minors. YouTube, which claims that nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15 use its platform, argues it should not be classified as social media since its primary function is video hosting.

A YouTube spokesperson reiterated this stance, stating, “YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media.”

Since the government initially exempted YouTube due to its educational value, other platforms covered by the ban such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok—have raised concerns, highlighting YouTube’s similarities to their services, including user interaction and algorithm-driven content recommendations.

President of the Australian Primary Principals Association, Angela Falkenberg, supported the ban, noting that teachers will ensure the appropriateness of resources used in classrooms.

Experts like Adam Marre from Arctic Wolf emphasized the importance of regulating YouTube to combat the spread of misinformation and protect children from the influence of big tech.

The policy reversal may spark a new dispute with Alphabet, which previously threatened to pull some Google services from Australia in response to legislation requiring payment to news outlets for content in searches. YouTube reportedly indicated it might pursue legal action against the government’s decision.

Communications Minister Anika Wells stated, “I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids.” The law mandates that social media platforms take “reasonable steps” to keep users under 16 out or face fines of up to A$49.5 million.

The government is set to receive a report this month regarding age-checking technologies, which will influence the enforcement of the ban.