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Australia’s regulator challenges YouTube exemption from teen social media ban

08:01

Australia’s online safety regulator has clashed with YouTube over the platform’s possible exemption from an upcoming law that would bar children under 16 from accessing social media. The law, set to take effect in December, would make Australia the first country to impose fines on platforms that fail to restrict access to minors.

The disagreement centers on a proposed exemption for YouTube, which the government had initially supported due to the platform’s perceived educational and health-related benefits. However, critics argue that granting this waiver to YouTube while applying the ban to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok would create an uneven playing field.

Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, recently urged the government to scrap all exemptions. She pointed to the regulator’s data showing that 37% of children aged 10 to 15 had encountered harmful content on YouTube more than on any other platform. Speaking at the National Press Club in Sydney, she emphasized that children are especially vulnerable to algorithm-driven features that keep them engaged and exposed to potentially harmful material.

YouTube responded with a public blog post, accusing the commissioner of ignoring government research that found 69% of parents believe YouTube is appropriate for users under 15. Rachel Lord, a public policy manager for YouTube in Australia and New Zealand, argued that the platform is widely accepted by parents and educators as suitable for younger audiences.

When asked about such surveys, Inman Grant reiterated her position, stating that the safety of children outweighs any political or public perception considerations. A representative for Communications Minister Anika Wells said the minister is reviewing the commissioner’s recommendations and reaffirmed that the law’s main goal is to protect children from online harm.

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