The Australian government is deliberating a significant policy shift regarding children’s access to social media, prompting a strong response from technology giant Google. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner, recently sounded the alarm over kids being exposed to predatory content on YouTube. She maintained that this is the forum where children are most exposed to this kind of content, even more so than any other platform.
David Inman Grant’s comments draw attention to the government’s impending decision to ban children aged 16 and under from having social media accounts. This new rule is not set to go into effect until December. This draft policy, if adopted, would be intended to shield all minors from harmful adult content and predatory behavior across internet platforms. To enforce the law, platforms that fail to take reasonable steps in preventing these younger users from creating accounts could face penalties of up to $50 million.
As Inman Grant has emphasized, there must be a much deeper re-evaluation of social media’s role in harming young users. “The new law will only restrict children under the age of 16 from having their own accounts—not accessing content on YouTube or any other service through links from the school or in a ‘logged-out’ state,” she stated.
In fact, considering this possible policy reversal, Google has previously raised the alarm. The tech company has been working to create further clarity with government. They’re making the argument that YouTube is a video-sharing platform, not a general social media platform. In response, a spokesperson for YouTube doubled down, claiming that it provides unique benefits and extraordinary value to younger Australians.
Never one to be cowed, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had a bold answer for Google’s threat. He further emphasised that the government would not capitulate to blackmail from social media platforms. “The minister will make these assessments independent of any these threats that are made by the social media companies,” he remarked. He further emphasized the responsibility that social media platforms have towards society: “I say to them that social media has a social responsibility.”
Opposition to this misguided policy is heating up, especially as stakeholders begin to point out the disastrous effects that would occur by limiting access. The Daily Telegraph was first with the scoop on a letter revealing Google’s dramatic objections. Under this letter’s advice, the ban in its current form risks being successfully challenged on constitutional grounds under the implied freedom of political communication.
