Threat to children’s online safety! YouTube strongly opposes social media ban in Australia

YouTube Against Kids Safety Law: Australia is set to impose a historic ban on social media use by children under 16 from December 10. The strict measure is aimed at protecting children from online dangers, but has been strongly criticized by YouTube, the world’s largest video platform. YouTube argues that this law has been made hastily and could further reduce the safety of children instead of removing them from the digital world. The company has called this law a threat to the safety of children, due to which this issue has now become the center of a big debate.

Australia bans children’s social media accounts

Australia is going to make a major change from December 10, under which children under 16 years of age will no longer be able to create their accounts on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. If they already have an account, they will be automatically signed out. Australia will become the first country to impose such comprehensive and stringent restrictions on social media. However, despite the ban, these young users will be able to watch videos without an account. The Australian government has taken this step to protect young users from so-called ‘predatory algorithms’.

YouTube expressed strong objection

YouTube has openly criticized this ban of the Australian government. Rachel Lord, YouTube’s public policy manager, expressed concern that the law would fail to deliver on its core promise of making children safer online. He explained that this is hastily drafted legislation that does not properly understand his platform and how young Australians use it. Rachel Lord stressed, “We believe in protecting children in the digital world, not from the digital world.” YouTube believes this new law could make Australian children even less safe online, making it a major threat to children’s safety.

Existing accounts will be archived

After this ban, YouTube has given a big relief to its users. YouTube has announced that it will not immediately delete or remove existing accounts of children under 16, but will archive them. This means that when those children turn 16, their account can be easily activated again. YouTube has also ensured that none of their existing content or data will be deleted and it will be waiting for them when they come back. The government’s initial intention was to protect platforms like YouTube from being banned for showing educational videos, but the rules have been changed.

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Question on making law in haste

YouTube has also raised questions on the law making process. The company says it has spoken to parents and teachers, who share their concerns. Adequate deliberation has not been done in making this law, due to which it will not be able to fulfill its original objective. It will be important to see what will be the long-term consequences of this ban on social media platforms.