Australia’s internet safety watchdog and YouTube have publicly clashed over the government’s proposed social media restrictions for users under 16. The dispute comes as Australia prepares to implement a world-first law in December 2025 that would fine platforms failing to block access for young users. The law is being closely observed by global governments and tech giants as a potential model for safeguarding minors online.
YouTube, owned by Alphabet, pushed back strongly in a blog post, accusing Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant of issuing inconsistent and contradictory advice. The company argued that her recommendations ignored the government’s own research showing that 69% of parents consider YouTube suitable for users under 15.
Rachel Lord, YouTube’s public policy manager for Australia and New Zealand, wrote that the eSafety office “chose to ignore this data, the decision of the Australian Government, and other clear evidence from teachers and parents that YouTube is suitable for younger users.”
Julie Inman Grant urged the government to reconsider its plan to exempt YouTube from the upcoming social media ban. She wrote to the government last week, insisting that no platform should receive special treatment under the new rules. Inman Grant highlighted that 37% of Australian children aged 10 to 15 reported encountering harmful content on YouTube — the highest figure among all social media platforms.
“This is not a fair fight where our kids are concerned, vis-a-vis social media sites,” Inman Grant said during her address at the National Press Club in Sydney. She warned about “persuasive design features” such as algorithm-driven recommendations and constant notifications designed to keep young users hooked. According to her, “YouTube has mastered those, with opaque algorithms driving users down rabbit holes they’re powerless to fight against.”
The centre-left Labor government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has supported a planned waiver for YouTube, citing its value for educational and health-related content. Other platforms, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, have voiced concerns that such an exemption would be unfair, creating uneven regulatory obligations across the industry.
Responding to claims that surveys support a YouTube exemption, Inman Grant reaffirmed that protecting children online remains her top concern. “I’m more concerned about the safety of children and that’s always going to surpass any concerns I have about politics or being liked or bringing the public onside,” she said.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that the minister is considering the eSafety commissioner’s recommendations carefully. The spokesperson stated, “The minister’s top priority is making sure the draft rules fulfil the objective of the Act and protect children from the harms of social media.”
The outcome of this dispute will play a critical role in shaping how Australia’s pioneering law is enforced — and may influence similar initiatives in other countries.