The Australian government has confirmed video-sharing platform YouTube will be included 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 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 from the upcoming ban. She cited YouTube’s “persuasive design” and algorithmic recommendations that keep young people scrolling.
YouTube has argued it is “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.
Catherine Jane Archer is an Associate Investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.
Catherine Page Jeffery has received funding from the Australian Research Council as well as the Australian government (under the Online Safety Grants Program).
Faith Gordon receives research funding from the Australian Research Council. She has previously received funding from Catch22, a youth charity.
Joanne Orlando has received research funding from the Australian government and NSW state government.
Tama Leaver receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is a chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
