Should YouTube be included in Australia’s social media ban for kids under 16? We asked 5 experts
- Written by: Catherine Jane Archer, Senior Lecturer, Communication, Edith Cowan University
The Austalian government has confirmed video-sharing platform YouTube will be included[1] in the upcoming social media ban for children aged 16 and under.
In recent days, the platform – owned by Google – attempted to persuade the Australian government[2] to remain excluded from the upcoming ban. The restrictions are due to come into force in December this year.
Last month, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant advised the government to remove the proposed exemption on YouTube[3] from the upcoming ban. She cited YouTube’s “persuasive design” and algorithmic recommendations that keep young people scrolling.
YouTube has argued it is[4] “not a social media service” and “offers benefit and value to younger Australians”.
Has the government made the right decision? We asked five experts if YouTube should be included – four out of five said no, but all expressed broader concerns about the ban. Here are their detailed answers.
References
- ^ YouTube will be included (theconversation.com)
- ^ attempted to persuade the Australian government (www.theguardian.com)
- ^ advised the government to remove the proposed exemption on YouTube (theconversation.com)
- ^ YouTube has argued it is (www.smh.com.au)
