Google has warned it may pursue legal action against the Australian government if YouTube is included in an upcoming social media ban for children under 16.
The company sent a letter to Communications Minister Anika Wells, cautioning that it would review its legal options should the government reverse its earlier decision to exempt YouTube from the rules, which are scheduled to come into effect in December.
The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has recommended that YouTube be included in the ban, arguing that many of the platform’s features pose risks inconsistent with the goal of protecting children online. She acknowledged the site’s educational benefits but said they did not outweigh the potential harms.
If YouTube is included, children under 16 would still be allowed to watch content, but they would be barred from creating accounts, uploading videos, or commenting.
Google argues that such restrictions would infringe on young people’s political freedom by limiting their ability to participate in public discourse. The company also maintains that YouTube is primarily a video streaming platform, not a social media network.
The government has not yet responded to the eSafety Commissioner’s recommendations, and the final list of platforms covered by the ban is expected in the coming weeks.
