Statewide ban of YouTube hits 1600 Australian schools

Melbourne (Victoria, AU) - Australia’s second most populous state has enacted a sweeping ban on YouTube at schools, after a street gang uploaded a video of themselves assaulting another student.

The ban, effective immediately, affects all schools in Victoria, the state where the assault occured. A criminal investigation into the videotaped beating is still ongoing.

The video, which was uploaded last year, sparked outrage from local communities. The state government decided to enact the ban in the hopes that similar YouTube-inspired crimes would not occur.

Education Services Minister Jacinta Allan said the government "has never tolerated bullying in schools and this zero tolerance approach extends to the online world."