Technology

Australia's Social Media Ban for Minors Faces Loophole with YouTube Exemption

Published On Mon, 03 Feb 2025
Neha Banerjee
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Australia has banned social media for minors but made an exception for YouTube. Experts warn this could expose children to harmful and addictive content.The ban covers TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X. These platforms must enforce strict age restrictions by 2025 or face heavy fines. However, the government kept YouTube open, calling it an educational tool.
Initially, YouTube was included in the ban. After hearing from company executives and content creators, the government granted an exemption. Officials say YouTube is mainly used for learning, not as a "core social media application." Despite this, researchers say YouTube still spreads harmful content. They argue it exposes young users to extremism, violent material, and misogynistic content. Studies show it is the most popular platform among Australian teens.
Experts claim YouTube’s algorithm promotes far-right and conspiracy content. Some say it quickly directs young viewers to racist, sexist, or extremist videos. YouTube defends its system, saying it limits harmful content and promotes respectful content. To test this, Reuters created accounts posing as minors. Simple searches on sex, COVID-19, and history led to extreme content in under 20 clicks. Some searches quickly found racist or misogynistic videos.
After Reuters flagged several videos, YouTube removed only two. One was an interview with a neo-Nazi leader. The company says it enforces strict policies against hate speech and harmful content. Critics argue that keeping YouTube open weakens the law’s purpose. They question why the most popular platform among teens was given special treatment.
Disclaimer: This image ia taken from Reuters.