The online regulatory body in Australia has urged the government to reconsider its controversial exemption for YouTube under a new social media ban aimed at users under 16 years of age. This unusual appeal aligns with concerns raised by other competing platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, expressed her desire for legislation that is “fair, consistent, and proportional” during a national radio appearance. She pointed to recent research indicating that YouTube, owned by Google, is the most widely used social media platform among young Australians and a significant source of online harm.
Inman Grant highlighted the range of harmful content found on YouTube, which includes misogynistic videos, hateful material, violent content, risky online challenges, disordered eating promotion, and suicidal ideation. She noted her surprise that YouTube was granted an exemption at all, stating that enforcing the rules is her primary responsibility rather than endorsing the legislation.
The law, which was approved late last year, is set to take effect by the end of 2025.
Rival companies such as Snap and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, have expressed frustration over what they perceive as preferential treatment for YouTube. Their concerns intensified after revelations that the government had made a personal commitment to YouTube’s CEO for the exemption even prior to any consultations regarding this decision.
In response, YouTube released a blog post asserting that Inman Grant’s remarks overlooked the educational advantages the platform provides to students and teachers. The company emphasized the importance of maintaining access to enriching content for young Australians and urged the government to uphold its public commitment.
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