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Australia is set to implement a landmark decision that will prohibit children under the age of 16 from creating accounts on YouTube, reversing an earlier exemption granted to the popular video-sharing platform. This move signifies a significant broadening of Australia's world-first social media ban for minors, which is slated to come into effect in December. The announcement, spearheaded by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells, underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding young Australians from the potential harms associated with excessive social media exposure and predatory algorithms.
The initial legislation, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, passed in November 2024, aimed to restrict access for under-16s to various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat. YouTube had initially been excluded from this list, with arguments from Google, YouTube's parent company, highlighting the platform's educational value and its nature as a video-sharing service rather than a traditional social media platform. However, this exemption faced considerable scrutiny and a strong recommendation for reversal from Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant.
Inman Grant's recommendation was heavily influenced by a recent survey involving 2,600 children, which revealed that YouTube was the most frequently cited platform where minors, specifically those aged 10 to 15, encountered harmful content. Around 37% of the surveyed children reported such encounters, making a compelling case for YouTube's inclusion in the ban. The government's decision reflects a direct response to these findings, prioritizing the well-being and online safety of young people.
Under the new expanded ban, platforms found to be in breach of the age restrictions could face substantial penalties, with fines reaching up to AUD$49.5 million. This hefty fine is intended to ensure that tech companies take "reasonable steps" to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. While the legislation mandates that minors will not be permitted to have accounts, which are required for uploading content or interacting on the platform, they will still be able to view YouTube videos without logging in or under parental supervision. This distinction is crucial, as it aims to limit the interactive and potentially addictive aspects of the platform for young users, while still allowing access to its vast content library for educational or entertainment purposes.
The Australian government's rationale behind this ban is rooted in the belief that delaying access to social media, including YouTube, until the age of 16 will provide young Australians with crucial time to develop real-world connections and build online resilience during a critical stage of their development. Communications Minister Anika Wells emphasized that while social media has its place, there is no place for "predatory algorithms targeting children."
The implementation of this ban, set for December, presents both challenges and opportunities for tech companies. They will be required to deactivate existing accounts held by under-16s and prevent the creation of new ones, as well as address any workarounds or errors in their age verification systems. While some major tech companies have expressed concerns regarding the precise definition of "reasonable steps" for compliance, the government maintains that the onus is on the platforms to ensure these fundamental protections are in place. Age assurance technologies, including potential AI-based age estimation tools, are expected to play a significant role in enforcing these new regulations.
This pioneering legislation has garnered international attention, with other countries, such as France and Spain, exploring similar age restrictions for social media use. The Australian government's move signals a broader global trend towards increased regulation of online platforms to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children, from the perceived negative impacts of pervasive digital engagement. While the long-term effects on youth mental health and online behavior remain to be fully observed, the ban represents a proactive step by Australia to put "parents ahead of platforms" and foster a safer online environment for its youngest citizens.
Source@BBC