7am How the internet is about to change for everyone
Jul 30, 2025
Join digital rights advocate Samantha Floreani as she dives into Australia’s groundbreaking plan to ban teenagers from social media. Discussing the complexities of age verification and privacy concerns, she questions how this law will shape internet usage for everyone. The conversation touches on the implications of YouTube’s role in this landscape, the UK's contentious regulations, and the rise of VPN usage as a form of resistance. Floreani highlights the global ramifications of these policies in an ever-evolving digital age.
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Australia's Teen Social Media Ban
- Australia's social media ban targets users under 16 to curb exposure to harmful content.
- Major platforms face fines up to 50 million AUD for non-compliance, signaling strong regulatory intent.
YouTube Included in the Ban
- YouTube was initially exempted but later included due to high child usage and exposure to harmful content.
- eSafety Commissioner's research influenced expanding the ban to YouTube, despite protest from Google.
Google's Legal Pushback
- Google threatens legal action, arguing YouTube isn't a social platform but a content site with educational value.
- Australian government counters citing YouTube's harmful algorithmic features affecting youth safety.