The Australian government has announced the inclusion of YouTube in the world’s first social media ban targeting children under 16, a decision that reverses the previous exemption granted to the platform. This ban is set to take effect in the upcoming December and will also encompass social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat. Under the new regulations, offending tech companies could face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (about 250 million Hong Kong dollars). Nonetheless, users under 16 will still be able to watch YouTube videos, but they will not be allowed to create accounts.
Australia’s Cybersecurity Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, recently proposed adding YouTube to a ban list, citing the platform’s popularity among children ages 10 to 15 as a major concern. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed that the social harm caused by social media to children cannot be overlooked, and he hopes Australian parents will feel the government’s support. He admitted that this measure isn’t a complete solution to all the problems but could bring about some meaningful change.
Google, the parent company of YouTube, has argued that the platform should not be restricted, claiming it provides benefits and value to young Australians, stating in a press release that “this is not social media.” According to reports, Google also threatened legal action against the government, asserting that the ban would impact political freedom. With the ban officially rolling out, YouTube announced on the same day that it would consider subsequent actions and continue engaging in dialogue with the government.
According to the ban, teenage users can freely watch YouTube videos but are not allowed to have accounts, as having an account is necessary for uploading content or interacting on the platform. Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells noted that while social media serves its purpose, predatory algorithms targeting children must be eliminated.
Wells compared the initiatives to protect children from online harm to Teaching kids to swim in the open sea filled with currents and sharks instead of in a small swimming pool.. She emphasized that while we cannot fully control the ocean, we can regulate the dangerous elements, ensuring that they do not back down from legal threats, as the core of this struggle is the well-being of children in Australia.
Regarding Online games, communication, education, and health applications., Wells stated that these will be exempted as they pose relatively minor social media risks for children under 16. Technology companies must terminate existing accounts and prohibit the opening of new ones, while also preventing users from circumventing regulations and fixing any system vulnerabilities.
If tech companies fail to comply with this age restriction ban, they could face fines of up to 50 million AUD. Businesses must immediately terminate existing accounts for users under 16, prohibit the creation of new user accounts, and must prevent users from bypassing these restrictions through any means, while fixing all vulnerabilities in their systems. The detailed implementation plan for the ban will be submitted to the federal parliament soon.
Source: BBC
