Leading tech companies have objected to YouTube being exempted from the ban on social media for children aged under 16 in Australia. The ban is expected to come into effect in December.
The companies that have opposed the exemption include Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat. They have termed YouTube’s exclusion from the ban “shortsighted” and “irrational”.
“It is illogical to restrict two platforms while exempting the third,” TikTok said in its submission. “It would be akin to banning the sale of soft drinks to minors but exempting Coca-Cola.”
In November last year, the Australian government banned social media for under-16s with the exception of YouTube. The legislation, which makes Australia the first country with toughest online restrictions for teens, covers popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
However, in their latest submissions, the targeted platforms have accused the Australian government of giving YouTube “preferential treatment”. YouTube was initially on the list of platforms that are to be banned, but the communications minister later announced its exemption due to its educational uses.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, said that YouTube’s exemption “makes a mockery of the government’s stated intention, when passing the age ban law, to protect young people”. It accused the government of “disregard of evidence and transparency” in the ban’s application.
Snapchat, on the other hand, reiterated that the government should treat it as a messaging service. “The exclusion rule for messaging services must apply a fair and impartial standard that applies equally across all messaging services,” the company said in its submission.
Social media firms could be fined up to $33 million under the law for violations. The legislation received widespread criticism from tech companies and digital rights advocates, who expressed concerns about potential marginalisation of young Australians in online spaces.
