YouTube Faces Reversal on Under-16 Ban Amid Safety Concerns

- Australian eSafety Commissioner and YouTube at odds over age restriction exemption. - Disagreement centers on child safety versus YouTube's educational benefits, public support. On June 24, 2025, Reuters reported that Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant and YouTube are clashing over the video platform's proposed exemption from the forthcoming "Social Media Minimum Age Act." This Act, which will ban social media use for individuals under 16 starting in December, means the conflict presents a significant challenge to implementing this pioneering online safety legislation. According to the Reuters report, Inman Grant opposes the exemption. Her office's research indicates that 37% of children aged ten to 15 reported encountering harmful content on YouTube, a rate higher than on any other major platform. Furthermore, in an address at the National Press Club in Sydney, Inman Grant highlighted risks from YouTube’s recommendation algorithms. While these algorithms aim to maintain user engagement, she noted they can potentially expose children to inappropriate material. Therefore, Inman Grant underscored the need to prioritize children's safety over public support for YouTube's exemption, arguing that the law should not have exceptions. However, YouTube contested these assertions. Also on June 24, Reuters reported that in a public statement via a blog post, Rachel Lord, YouTube’s Senior Public Policy and Government Relations Manager for Australia and New Zealand, emphasized that the eSafety Commissioner dismissed crucial evidence, which included community sentiment and professional opinions. To support its position, YouTube’s defense referenced a 2024 survey indicating that 84% of Australian teachers use the platform in classrooms monthly, considering it an educational tool. Additionally, government-backed research reportedly showed that 85% of children and nearly 69% of parents deemed YouTube suitable for users under 15. Consequently, YouTube argues it functions primarily as a video library, not a social media platform. This standoff places the Australian government in a difficult position, particularly since it had previously suggested YouTube would receive a waiver for its educational and health content. A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed the ministry received the eSafety Commissioner's updated advice, and it is now considering subsequent measures focused on protecting children from social media harm. Rival platforms such as TikTok, Snap, and Meta had previously argued that exempting YouTube would be inequitable, and the eSafety Commissioner's current stance may bolster their arguments. Meanwhile, the international community is closely monitoring Australia's actions, as this legislation could set a global precedent for online safety compliance and regulation.