The global conversation about how social media affects the mental health of children and teens is intensifying, yet Australia has taken a leading initiative by pushing stricter regulations. By adding YouTube to the roster of platforms banned for users under 16, the country signals a decisive move to shield younger audiences from the possible risks of online content.
Australia tightens rules and extends digital ban for minors
Australia said on Wednesday it will add YouTube to sites covered by its world-first ban on social media for teenagers, reversing an earlier decision to exempt the Alphabet-owned GOOGL.O video-sharing site and potentially setting up a legal challenge. The decision came after the internet regulator urged the government last month to overturn the YouTube carve-out, citing a survey that found 37% of minors reported harmful content on the site, the worst showing for a social media platform.
“I’m calling time on it,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement highlighting that Australian children were being negatively affected by online platforms, and reminding social media of their social responsibility. “I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.” The decision broadens the ban set to take effect in December. YouTube says it is used by nearly three-quarters of Australians aged 13 to 15, and should not be classified as social media because its main activity is hosting videos.
“Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. It’s not social media,” a YouTube spokesperson said by email.
Since the government said last year it would exempt YouTube due to its popularity with teachers, platforms covered by the ban, such as Meta’s META.O Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat SNAP.N and TikTok, have complained. They say YouTube has key similarities to their products, including letting users interact and recommending content through an algorithm based on activity. The ban outlaws YouTube accounts for those younger than 16, allowing parents and teachers to show videos on it to minors.
AI risks and the reaction of tech giants
The advancement of artificial intelligence has made it even more difficult to control the type of content circulating online, intensifying the spread of misinformation. This was one of the decisive factors in the Australian government’s reconsideration of its stance on YouTube. At the same time, the history of tensions with Alphabet, such as the requirement for media remuneration, shows that the relationship between the government and Big Tech was already tense.
Artificial intelligence has supercharged the spread of misinformation on social media platforms such as YouTube, said Adam Marre, chief information security officer at cyber security firm Arctic Wolf. The reversal sets up a fresh dispute with Alphabet, which threatened to withdraw some Google services from Australia in 2021 to avoid a law forcing it to pay news outlets for content appearing in searches.
By standing firm against legal threats, the Australian government underscores its commitment to prioritizing the safety of minors, even if that means facing legal disputes. The position of the Communications Minister highlights the gravity and determination behind the government’s actions.
“I will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the well-being of Australian kids,” Communications Minister Anika Wells told parliament on Wednesday.
Australia’s social media ban depends on age verification tools
Even with the legislation already in place, its success will depend on how effectively age verification tools are deployed. The upcoming report on these restrictions shows that the government wants to ensure the ability to put the necessary limitations into practice. Australia’s approach may well become a reference point for other nations grappling with the problems caused by digital platforms in the lives of minors.