Big Tech Challenges YouTube’s Exemption from Australia’s Child Social Media Ban – One America News Network
By Renju Jose
March 4, 2025 – 6:19 AM PST
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SYDNEY, March 5 (Reuters) – Major technology firms, including Meta Platforms (META.O), the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, along with Snapchat (SNAP.N) and TikTok, are calling on Australia to reassess a decision that allows Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube to bypass its regulations prohibiting social media access for children under 16.
A landmark law, approved by the Australian parliament in November, imposes some of the toughest restrictions globally on social media, compelling platforms to prevent log-ins by minors or face penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($31 million).
YouTube is set to be exempt from this ban, which is scheduled to be enforced by year’s end, as it’s deemed a vital educational resource and is the only service sanctioned for children within a family account under parental oversight.
However, Meta argues that minors using YouTube still encounter the same features that the government cites as reasons for the ban, such as algorithm-driven content suggestions, social engagement tools, and potential exposure to harmful material.
“YouTube’s exemption contradicts the implied goals of the legislation, and we urge the government to apply the law uniformly across all social media platforms,” it stated in a blog post on Wednesday.
TikTok expressed that the exemption for YouTube from the age restrictions would create a “irrational, anti-competitive, and shortsighted” law, emphasizing the need for uniformity among all social media outlets.
Snapchat added that no specific company should be granted unfair advantages.
“A balanced and equitable implementation of exclusions is essential, and all services need to meet the same criteria,” Snap Inc stated in a submission made on Friday.
Mental health and extremist behavior experts have informed Reuters that YouTube exposes children to addictive and damaging content, similar to that found on other platforms.
In its public online communications, YouTube has claimed to be ramping up its moderation efforts while expanding its criteria for harmful content identified by its automated detection systems.
($1=1.6111 Australian dollars)
Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Clarence Fernandez
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