Tech giants Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat challenge Australia's decision to exempt YouTube from its under-16 social media ban, citing concerns over fairness and child safety.
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| Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat oppose YouTube’s exemption from Australia’s under-16 social media ban, warning it undermines child safety regulations. Image: ChicHue |
Sydney, Australia — March 5, 2025:
Major technology companies, including Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat, are urging the Australian government to reconsider its decision to exempt YouTube from forthcoming legislation banning social media access for children under 16. The law, approved in November 2024, is one of the world’s strictest, requiring platforms to block underage users or face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 31 million), according to AU media outlets.
YouTube has been granted an exemption as an educational tool, allowing minors access under family accounts with parental supervision. However, Meta argues that YouTube employs the same algorithmic recommendations and content exposure risks as other platforms affected by the ban. “YouTube’s exemption contradicts the law’s intent, and we urge the government to ensure equal enforcement across all social media services,” Meta stated in a blog post.
TikTok warned that excluding YouTube could make the law “illogical, anticompetitive, and short-sighted,” advocating for consistent rules across all platforms. Snapchat echoed similar concerns, insisting that no company should receive special treatment.
Experts in mental health and extremism have also raised concerns, stating that YouTube’s algorithms can expose children to addictive and harmful content, similar to other social media platforms.
With the law set to take effect by the end of the year, the Australian government faces increasing pressure from industry leaders and child safety advocates to enforce the regulations uniformly, ensuring protections for minors without exemptions that could weaken the legislation.