YouTube may be looking at a serious prohibition for all users under 16 very soon. Australian officials are gearing up to implement new legislative measures to keep young users safe from malicious activity online. The proposed regulations are scheduled to go into effect on December 10. They have set off a firestorm of criticism and controversy over whether the video streaming giant should be considered a social media platform. This difference is very important, as it’ll decide whether YouTube will continue to be exempted from the new prohibitions.
YouTube would have you believe that it’s just another video streaming service. The second is that it thinks this distinction exempts it from the same level of scrutiny as traditional social media platforms. The platform has repeatedly claimed that its widespread adoption in schools and use by parents further bolsters its case for exemption. The Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has been equally strident. She is concerned about what kinds of media young people are exposed to through YouTube.
Government Recommendations and Legal Threats
The eSafety Commissioner has now formally requested that the Australian Government remove YouTube’s exemption from forthcoming laws. They focused in on some shocking statistics that demonstrate just how much this platform is harming young Australians. Dr. Inman Grant noted,
“When we asked where they were experiencing harm and the kinds of harms they were experiencing, the most prevalent place where young Australians experienced harm was on YouTube — almost 37 per cent.”
The report detailed the many ways that harmful content can manifest, from violent extremism videos to promoting disordered eating and suicidal ideation.
In reaction to these recommendations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted that the government was putting families first. He stated,
“Our government is making it clear — we stand on the side of families.”
The Prime Minister has been clear that online platforms must be held to account. He insisted that social media has a social responsibility and pointed out the harmful effects of social media on children.
YouTube’s parent company, Google, threatened to take legal action if the government goes ahead and withdraws its previously flagged exemption. The company contends that the unique educational uses and its overall benefits for families make it immune from the new regulations. This exemption was first pushed through by then-communications minister Michelle Rowland last November.
Opposition from Competitors
Additionally, the draft rules released by the government contained language that specifically named YouTube as exempt from the new regulations. Furthermore, YouTube’s competitors are vehemently arguing against this exemption. They go on to criticize the government for developing a “sweetheart deal” in closed door submissions. The challengers have made clear that letting YouTube run unfettered shackles fair competition and innovation in the online arena.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is due to bring detailed regulations about the ban to parliament. These rules should make it clear which platforms aren’t affected by the rules so they’re not caught up in burdensome regulations. This includes platforms mostly focused on gaming, messaging, health, and education.
Countering all this optimism, Prime Minister Albanese, in confirming the negotiations, admitted that a deal for YouTube’s future was not yet done. He reiterated throughout, though, that the government really is listening and consulting deeply across the stakeholder spectrum. Their goal is to protect users without stifling technological development.
Financial Implications and Industry Response
If YouTube fails to take enough action to prevent under-16s from accessing its platform, it may face fines. The penalties would increase to as much as $50 million. These game-changing financial penalties highlight just how seriously the Australian government is taking online safety for minors.
To protect children Minister Wells was right to call for better regulation platforms should be held accountable for how they appeal to young users. She noted,
“There’s a place for social media, but there’s not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”
For her, there is no silver bullet to the challenge of online safety. She is adamant that if we want to truly knock down social media’s impact on kids’ wellbeing, we need to establish a minimum age requirement.
As the December deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the UK’s parliament. They will meaningfully discuss YouTube’s future with all the new regulations still coming. This decision will have a profound impact on YouTube’s future within Australia. It would also establish a precedent for how governments worldwide address online safety for children.
