Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner of Australia, has called on the federal government to rethink its plan to exempt YouTube from a forthcoming social media ban targeting users under the age of 16, as reported by Reuters.
In a significant move, Australia is set to unveil a groundbreaking law in December, positioning itself as the first nation to impose penalties on social media companies that do not effectively limit access for users under the age of 16. As international policymakers and tech executives monitor the evolving legislation, questions linger regarding the consistency of its application across various sectors.
The Australian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the center-left Labour Party, has signaled that YouTube may receive an exemption owing to its focus on educational and health-related content. The decision has faced backlash from various platforms, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. These companies contend that the waiver in question is both inconsistent and unjust, according to a report by Reuters.
A report reveals that Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has advocated for a level playing field. She disclosed that her office had officially advised the government against granting any platform exemptions. According to internal research, Julie reported that 37% of children between the ages of 10 and 15 have come across harmful content on YouTube, surpassing any other social media platform.
“This is an unequal battle when it comes to our children,” she stated, cautioning that YouTube’s recommendation algorithms and notification systems effectively captivate young users in ways that are hard to resist. YouTube has effectively harnessed complex algorithms that lead users into endless rabbit holes, leaving them feeling powerless to resist the pull.
YouTube has reacted to the criticism in a recent blog post, arguing that Julie’s stance is inconsistent and overlooks evidence that underscores the platform’s appropriateness for younger viewers.
Rachel Lord, who serves as YouTube’s Senior Manager for Public Policy and Government Relations in Australia and New Zealand, highlighted findings from government-commissioned research showing that 68.5% of parents consider the platform suitable for children under the age of 15.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner emphasized the priority of child safety when addressing surveys that advocate for YouTube’s exemption. “I’m more concerned about the safety of children, and that’s always going to surpass any concerns I have about politics or being liked or bringing the public onside,” the Commissioner stated.
A spokesperson for Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells has confirmed that the government is currently reviewing the eSafety Commissioner’s advice. The minister’s primary focus is to ensure that the final regulations are in line with the Act’s objective of safeguarding children from the dangers posed by social media.
