In a dramatic pushback, YouTube has publicly condemned Australia's pioneering law that will ban users under the age of 16 from major social media platforms, arguing the move will ironically make young people less secure online.
YouTube's Strong Opposition to 'Rushed' Law
The video streaming giant, one of the most visited websites globally, issued a statement on Wednesday through its public policy manager, Rachel Lord. Lord stated that the legislation, set to take effect from December 10, will fail in its core mission. "This law will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online, and will, in fact, make Australian kids less safe on YouTube," Lord declared. The company emphasised that the regulation was hastily put together and misunderstands how young Australians interact with the platform.
Originally, YouTube was expected to be exempt from the ban to allow access to educational content. However, the Australian government reversed this decision in July, expressing the need to protect minors from what it termed "predatory algorithms." The ban will also encompass other major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
How the Ban Will Be Enforced and Its Immediate Impact
Come December 10, YouTube will automatically sign out all Australian users under 16, using the age information linked to their Google accounts. While underage visitors can still access the website without an account, they will lose critical functionalities. These include personalised wellbeing settings and safety filters that parents and educators often rely on to curate a safer viewing experience.
YouTube assured that it would archive the accounts of affected users. "We will not delete or remove any of their existing content or data, and it will be waiting for them when they come back," the company stated, confirming reactivation once a user turns 16. This stance underscores YouTube's philosophy of "protecting kids in the digital world, not from the digital world."
Government's Firm Rebuttal and Global Implications
Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells offered a sharp retort to YouTube's criticism, labelling it "outright weird." She turned the argument back on the platform, stating, "If YouTube is reminding us all that it is not safe and there's content not appropriate for age-restricted users on their website, that's a problem that YouTube needs to fix."
The Australian government acknowledges that the ban's rollout will be imperfect initially, with some underage users likely slipping through the cracks. However, the penalties for non-compliance are severe. Platforms that fail to take "reasonable steps" to adhere to the new rules face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million). Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has already begun deactivating accounts based on the age provided during creation.
This bold experiment is being watched closely by regulators worldwide who are grappling with the potential harms of social media. Meanwhile, the Digital Freedom Project, an internet rights group, has launched a legal challenge in Australia's High Court, arguing the laws constitute an unfair restriction on freedom of speech.
