YouTube to lock out under-16s in Australia as controversial social media ban looms

• YouTube will comply with Australia's new social media ban for under-16s
• The new law requires parental consent for teen users
• Privacy concerns are growing over age verification methods

YouTube has confirmed it will comply with Australia's controversial new social media ban, which will require the platform to prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing its service. The video-sharing giant is the latest major tech company to fall in line ahead of the world-first law coming into force.

The legislation, which begins on December 10, mandates that social media companies must take "reasonable steps" to verify users' ages and remove those under 16 who do not have parental consent. Platforms failing to do so could face staggering fines of up to A$50 million. The move follows what the Australian government has described as a "moral imperative" to protect children online ...