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Snapshot 9:Tue, Jun 24, 2025 4:08:04 PM GMT last edited by MalcolmStanding

Australia's YouTube Exemption Under Fire in Social Media Ban

Australia's YouTube Exemption Under Fire in Social Media Ban

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The Spin

YouTube deserves protection from this misguided ban because it serves as an essential educational tool used by 84% of Australian teachers monthly. The platform provides free, high-quality content that helps students learn both inside and outside classrooms, making it fundamentally different from social media platforms designed for endless scrolling. Government research shows 69% of parents consider YouTube appropriate for children under 15, yet the eSafety Commissioner ignores this clear evidence.

YouTubeThis deservesis itsegregious exemptionoverreach becausefrom itGrant serveswhich aplaces fundamentallyher differentin purposedirect thanopposition socialto mediathe platforms.Prime TheMinister, platformturning providessensible educationalprotections contentinto usedpure bynanny 84%state ofmeddling. AustralianParents, teacherseducators, monthlyand children's entertainers all came out and enjoysstated broadthat parentalthey support,did withnot 69%want consideringYouTube itto appropriatebe banned for under-15s.minors, Removingone of the exemptionfew wouldplatforms harmwith students'safe accesscontent tofor valuablethe learningyoung. resourcesThe government, of course, knows best, and contradictis thegoing government'sagainst ownthe researchwishes andof commitmentsparents.

YouTube's posesexemption makes no sense when the greatestplatform riskis towhere children amongencounter allthe platforms,most withharmful content online. Research shows 37% of kids encounteringaged harmful10-15 contentsee dangerous material there, including violent videos, eatingand disordercontent promotion,promoting and misogynistic materialself-harm. The platform's addictiveuses algorithmsthe deliberatelysame pushaddictive usersalgorithms downas dangerousbanned rabbitsocial holesmedia they cannot escapesites, making anythe exemptioncarve-out inconsistent with protecting children from socialonline media harms. No platform claiming absolute safety can be trusted when children's wellbeing is at stake.

YouTube's exemptionposes makes no sense when the platformgreatest isrisk whereto children encounteramong theall mostplatforms, harmfulwith content online. Research shows 37% of kids agedencountering 10-15harmful seecontent dangerous material there, including violent videos, eating disorder promotion, and contentmisogynistic promoting self-harmmaterial. The platform's usesaddictive thealgorithms samedeliberately addictivepush algorithmsusers asdown banneddangerous socialrabbit mediaholes sitesthey cannot escape, making theany carve-outexemption inconsistent with protecting children from onlinesocial media harms. No platform claiming absolute safety can be trusted when children's wellbeing is at stake.


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