The Australian government has added YouTube to its social media ban for children under 16, reversing its previous decision to exempt the platform. The move follows concerns raised by the national internet safety regulator about the exposure of children to harmful content on the video-sharing site.
The policy, which is set to take effect from December, will penalise social media platforms that fail to comply with fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately $32.2 million). The legislation was passed by the Australian Parliament in November, aiming to curb the negative effects of digital platforms on young users.
Prior to this, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner called on the government to reevaluate YouTube’s exemption, pointing to its own research, which showed that 37% of kids between the ages of 10 and 15 said they had come across harmful content on the website. Among all the major social media platforms, this was the highest percentage ever noted.
Alphabet Inc-owned YouTube has maintained that it was more of a platform for viewing and sharing content than a conventional social media website. However, rivals like Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram have objected to YouTube’s previous exclusion, calling it unfair.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the ban, saying, “Social media has a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms, so I’m calling time on it.”
“Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs,” he added.
YOUTUBE RESPONDS TO POLICY SHIFT
In response to the government’s move, YouTube issued a statement saying it would evaluate its next steps and continue discussions with authorities.
“We share the government’s goal of addressing and reducing online harms. Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video-sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media,” a YouTube spokesperson said via email.
Despite the company’s assertion, the government appears firm in its decision to include YouTube in the scope of the age restriction policy.
GOVERNMENT MAKES EXCEPTIONS FOR LOW-RISK SITES
Not all online platforms will be affected by the new law. Online gaming sites, messaging apps, and certain health and education services are exempt, as they are either covered by separate regulatory frameworks or deemed to pose lower risks to teenagers.
Communications Minister Anika Wells highlighted that the policy would remain flexible and responsive to evolving needs.
“The rules are not a set and forget, they are a set and support,” Wells said, suggesting future adjustments could be made as necessary.
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