Meta, YouTube, TikTok fight back as Australia's social media restrictions for teens draw closer

[midian182]

In brief: After approving plans to ban those aged under 16 from using social media last year, the Australian government is now considering which of the platforms should be included in the new law. In response, the companies are looking for ways to avoid being added to the ban list, with methods ranging from pleas and security promises to thinly veiled legal threats.

Social media platforms have long criticized Australia's ban on under-16s holding accounts. The law comes into effect this December, meaning the companies only have a few months to plead their cases for exemption.

The Guardian reports that Meta has focused on its teen account settings for Instagram – the image and video sharing site was exposed as one of the worst for teens' mental wellbeing a few years ago. It has also announced new protections relating to direct messages in addition to those that automatically censor nudes.

The argument over whether YouTube should be classed as a social media company has raged for years. Australia's former communications minister Michelle Rowland had promised the Google-owned site that it would be exempt from the under-16s ban, but the eSafety commissioner last month recommended that it be included, citing research that showed 37% of surveyed children who had seen or heard potentially harmful content online had found it on YouTube.

YouTube has been taking out ads in newspapers and billboards across Australia stating it is "Proudly in a category of one." YouTube also sent a letter to new communications minister Anika Wells suggesting a high court challenge if it is included in the ban.

TikTok has been taking a different approach, running ads on its own platform and Meta's that promote its educational benefits for teens. "1.7m #fishtok videos are helping them swap screen time for time outdoors," one ad claims, a rebuttal to the government's claim that a social media ban will lead to children spending more time outdoors.

Finally, there's Snapchat. The very youth-focused app has been concentrating on promoting user safety. It partnered with the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, led by the Australian Federal Police, to produce a series of educational videos featured on several Australian influencer accounts. Snapchat has also been posting ads advising parents and teens how to spot grooming and sextortion.

Despite the companies' best efforts, the Australian government isn't relenting. Social services minister Tanya Plibersek said it would not be "bullied out of taking action by any social media giant."

Permalink to story:

Meta, YouTube, TikTok fight back as Australia's social media restrictions for teens draw closer

 

[Megalomaniac]

I said this before about the Chinese bans on OF and other American social medias that it finds detrimental to its people.

I have the UTMOST respect for these countries with governments willing to push back against "children", " teenagers" - who obviously don't know what's best for themselves. Their parents may be inept and conned by their kids but it's not working any more. These other governments with fewer corrupt politicians understand what these destructive social media platforms are doing to their people.

The OF ban, the "Tea App" and all these other things have gotten out of hand.

We banned Tik Tok - knowing it was turning these kids into zombies. Trump lifted the ban 2 hours later.

I'm disgusted and I'm willing to fight.

I'm not a fan of Governor Hochul of NYC, but she's banning cellphones in High School this Fall and I know she's gonna have a WAR with the parents who've been conned into thinking they must have one. I know the underlying reasons for it and I'm glad it's finally happening. These kids recording fights and other "questionable acts" in school and then creating cyberbullying situations.

Kudos on those of you willing to draw the line and enforce it.

 

[J95qRP7]

Having worked in education in Australia, this is a net benefit for children. Some kids might be fine but most are little addicts that try anything to sneak screen time into lessons. Schools would have bans where phones were to be kept in lockers during lessons but kids would sneak them in in their pencil cases, ask to leave for the toilet multiple times a lesson, but go to their lockers.

This is a necessary evil has it has been demonstrated the social media websites hire psychologists to help design them to be the most addictive as possible. **** them and what they've done to a generation of young brains.

 

[CourtJustCourt]

Good, one less country that will have a generation of *****s running it like us Americans.

 

[VitalyT]

the Australian government is now considering which of the platforms should be included in the new law

That is the wrong sentiment, if the goal is to actually help the youth. Ban everything, and then consider what to exclude, very carefully. We do not want teens zombified into adulthood by all the online trash.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

A disproportionate number of redditors are Australian.

Explains a lot.

That is the wrong sentiment, if the goal is to actually help the youth. Ban everything, and then consider what to exclude, very carefully. We do not want teens zombified into adulthood by all the online trash.

If your goal is to "help the youth" then you need to crack down on parents who are failing at raising their kids properly. But that's HAAAAAARD.

Now, if you instead wanted to normalize online censorship, this works perfectly.

 

[airbornex]

TikTok claiming that fishtok inspires outdoor activities is the most Gen Z defense ever. Your Honor, the defendant was clearly fishing for trout and not likes.

 

[BuckarooBonzaii]

Part of it are social media companies too. Look at all the uploaded videos of people doing crazy and stupid things like criminal activities getting them arrested, challenges that are killing people, etc. And some of them are not even kids. Kids will copy and favor popularity. Digital Sovereignty/boarders are becoming a reality and Countries are taking notice and the International governing bodies will not even touch this subject unless we are willing to have The New World Order which will be worse.

I feel sorry for those who are using Social Media to help better their lives in a positive way. I guess with all the flak Social Media and Big Techs are getting from the EU and UK, companies are getting nervous.

 

[daffy duck]

I have little time for our government in general, but I applaud anyone that takes on the big tech scumbags. If they are squeaking like stuck pigs, then we are doing something right.