Post by : Rameen Ariff

Sydney, October 13, 2025: YouTube has raised strong concerns over Australia’s plan to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media. The video platform believes that the new law, though well-intentioned, will not make children safer online and could create several unintended problems.

Last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced landmark legislation that aims to stop under-16s from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok by the end of 2025. The law is part of Australia’s effort to protect children from harmful online content and cyberbullying. Under this new rule, any company that allows minors to use their platform could face a fine of up to AUS $49.5 million (US $32 million).

YouTube, which will also fall under this ban, has argued that it should not be included because it is not a social media platform but a video streaming service. The company’s Australian spokesperson, Rachel Lord, said the ban would be difficult to enforce and would not meet its goal of improving online safety for kids. She added that stopping children from being online is not the right way to protect them. According to Lord, the better solution would be to create balanced and well-designed laws that work alongside the efforts already made by the industry to keep young people safe.

Australia has been leading global efforts to make the internet safer, but experts say the new law lacks details on how it will be enforced. The government has said that platforms will not be required to verify every user’s age but must take reasonable steps to detect and remove underage users.

Some experts fear the law could be more symbolic than practical. They believe completely banning children from social media might limit their chances to learn and connect safely online. Many technology experts and companies have described the new rules as vague, rushed, and difficult to apply.

Even with criticism, the Australian government remains committed to improving online safety. The eSafety Commissioner will have the power to fine companies that fail to follow the rules. While the debate continues, the issue highlights the global struggle between keeping children safe on the internet and allowing them to explore and learn responsibly.

#world news #Global News