Major technology companies, including Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat, are urging the Australian government to reconsider its decision to exempt YouTube from forthcoming legislation that bans social media access for children under 16. The law, approved in November 2024, is among the world's strictest, requiring platforms to prohibit underage logins or face fines up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 31 million), reports Reuters.
YouTube is slated for exemption due to its classification as an essential educational tool, permitting access under family accounts with parental supervision. However, Meta contends that YouTube offers features similar to those that led to the ban, such as algorithmic content recommendations and potential exposure to harmful material. In a blog post, Meta stated, "YouTube's exemption is at odds with the purported reasons for the law, and we call on the government to ensure equal application of the law across all social media services."
TikTok expressed concerns that exempting YouTube could render the law "illogical, anticompetitive, and short-sighted," advocating for consistent enforcement across all platforms. Snapchat echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that no specific company should receive preferential treatment and that all services should be held to the same standard.
Mental health and extremism experts have also raised alarms, noting that YouTube can expose children to addictive and harmful content, similar to other social media sites.
As the law is set to take effect by the end of the year, the Australian government faces mounting pressure from industry leaders and experts to apply the regulations uniformly, ensuring the safety and well-being of minors online without granting exceptions that could undermine the legislation's effectiveness.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
