Australia is extending its under-16s social media ban to YouTube.

Legislation passed last year excluded blocking the video-sharing service, because of its role in education and children’s entertainment.

The ban covered Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

The  co-chair of child online safety advocacy group, Before 16, Cecilia Robinson says YouTube is as big a part of social media as other platforms - and should have always been on the list.

"YouTube, and specifically YouTube shorts, operate in the same way as TikTok does. So why they had an exemption in the first place is mind-boggling."

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