That’s how one expert has described the federal government’s decision to include YouTube in its controversial under-16s social media ban, warning it could cause “more risk, not less” to young Australians.

As other countries impose bans and restrictions, we take a look at whether social media is safe for our children – and how it could be made safer.

Australia has added YouTube to a list of online sites and apps that will be blocked as part of a proposed ban on social media for children under 16 after facing major backlash for initially leaving it out.