Credit: Christian Wiediger via Unsplash.
YouTube has hit back at the federal government over its backflip to include the video platform in its under-16 social media ban.
Digital platforms – including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and now YouTube – face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to prevent underage users from accessing their services.
The law comes into effect on December 10.
YouTube argues it should not be included in the ban, saying “it’s not social media”.
“We share the government’s goal of addressing and reducing online harms,” a spokesperson told AdNews.
“Our position remains clear: YouTube is a video sharing platform with a library of free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens.
“The government’s announcement today reverses a clear, public commitment to exclude YouTube from this ban.
“We will consider next steps and will continue to engage with the government.”
The government committed to excluding YouTube last year because it is frequently used as an educational resource. Overnight, the government made a jarring U-turn.
“Our government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families,” said prime minister Anthony Albanese.
“Social media has a social responsibility and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms so I'm calling time on it.”
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