Australia may include YouTube in proposed social media ban for teens

Australian authorities are considering expanding a landmark social media ban to include the video platform YouTube, targeting users aged 16 and under. The recommendation comes from the country's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, who advises against making exemptions for specific platforms in the upcoming legislation.

A Push for Comprehensive Legislation

Last year, Australia became the first nation to pass a law prohibiting children from accessing social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat. The new rules are scheduled to take effect at the end of this year. While YouTube was initially excluded from the list, Commissioner Inman Grant has now urged the government to reconsider. "Our recommendation was that no specific platform be exempted because the relative risks and harms can change at any given moment," she stated during an address at the National Press Club, emphasizing that no platform can claim to be "absolutely safe."

Google's Defense of YouTube's Educational Role

The potential inclusion of YouTube has sparked a rebuttal from Google, the platform's parent company. A Google spokesperson argued that "YouTube is not a social media platform; it is a video streaming platform with a library of free, high-quality content," widely used in Australian classrooms. The company is urging the government to allow continued access for young Australians, suggesting the ban would hinder educational resources. Inman Grant clarified that her recommendation would not prevent teachers from showing educational YouTube content while logged out of the platform.

Data on Harm and the Scope of the Problem

The commissioner's stance is supported by recent research on online harms faced by children. The data indicates that seven in ten Australian children have encountered harmful content, including material promoting misogyny, hate, and disordered eating. Notably, "YouTube was the most frequently cited platform, with almost four in 10 children reporting exposure to content associated with harm there." Additional research highlighted that 36% of children most recently experienced online abuse from peers on the platform. The final decision on whether to include YouTube in the ban rests with Australia's communications minister.