Australia’s move to ban children under 16 from social media platforms is “well intentioned” but unlikely to make them safer online, video streaming giant YouTube has warned.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government last year introduced landmark legislation that would bar under-16s from accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram by the end of 2025, with heavy fines for companies that fail to comply.
However, YouTube — which will also fall under the ban — has argued that it should not be classified as a social media platform. The company’s local spokeswoman, Rachel Lord, told a Senate committee on Monday that while the aim of the law was commendable, it risked “unintended consequences.”
“The legislation will not only be extremely difficult to enforce, it also does not fulfil its promise of making kids safer online,” Lord said. “Well-crafted legislation can be an effective tool to build on industry efforts to keep children and teens safer online, but the solution to keeping kids safer online is not stopping them from being online.”
Lord added that YouTube should be “out of scope of this legislation, because we are not a social media service.”
Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to combat online harm, but critics say the proposed ban lacks clarity on enforcement and may end up being largely symbolic.
Social media firms have also described the laws as “vague,” “problematic,” and “rushed.” Under the proposal, the eSafety Commissioner will have the power to fine companies up to A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for non-compliance.
While the government recently announced that platforms will not be required to verify every user’s age, they must take “reasonable steps” to detect and deactivate underage accounts.
