YouTube Resists Australian Push to Ban Teens from Social Media Platforms

YouTube has publicly opposed a recommendation by Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant to revoke its exemption from the Social Media Minimum Age Act. The legislation, set to take effect in December, aims to bar children under 16 from accessing platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta's Instagram, with penalties for non-compliance.

Inman Grant argues that YouTube's recommendation algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, potentially exposing minors to harmful content. Internal data cited by the commissioner indicates 37% of children aged 10-15 encountered inappropriate material on YouTube—the highest rate among major platforms.

YouTube countered with a blog post accusing the regulator of ignoring evidence, community feedback, and expert opinions. Rachel Lord, YouTube's Senior Public Policy Manager for Australia and New Zealand, dismissed the recommendation as "inconsistent and contradictory."