YouTube has come out strongly against calls by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, to include the platform in the upcoming social media age restrictions for under-16s. The platform argues that it is primarily for video distribution, not social interaction, and claims that the Commissioner’s new advice contradicts her past comments about the risks of limiting youth access to educational resources.
The federal government had previously exempted YouTube—along with services like Google Classroom and ReachOut—on the basis of their educational value. But Inman Grant now insists that YouTube’s popularity with children, and evidence of harm, warrant its inclusion in the age-verification rules.
In a National Press Club address, she described the legislation as a “delay” rather than a ban, and said a layered, AI-powered system of age checks would be required by December. She acknowledged the tools won’t be perfect but insisted they would help shift responsibility for safety from parents to platforms. YouTube, however, defended its record, citing the removal of 192,000 harmful videos this year and its creation of age-appropriate products. The platform called on the government to stick to its original carve-out.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is expected to make a final decision in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, opposition politicians are demanding greater clarity on what platforms will be affected, what age-verification technologies will be required, and how companies will be judged for compliance.
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