Australia has expanded its upcoming social media restrictions for minors to include YouTube, reversing an earlier decision that exempted the platform. Starting in December, children under 16 will be barred from creating accounts on YouTube under a new law aimed at protecting teens from harmful online content.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move on Wednesday, confirming that YouTube will now fall under the same rules as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The decision follows a survey by Australia’s internet regulator showing that 37 percent of minors had encountered harmful content on YouTube.

Communications Minister Anika Wells explained the change by criticizing

“predatory algorithms”

and emphasizing the importance of teens forming their identities without online platforms shaping them first.

YouTube responded by claiming it should not be categorized as social media. A company spokesperson stated that YouTube is “a video-sharing platform” and expressed disappointment with the government’s decision, calling it a reversal of previous commitments. The company said it would consider its next steps and continue engaging with Australian authorities.

This move could reopen tensions between Australia and Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company, which previously pushed back against legislation requiring Google to pay news outlets for content in 2021.