YouTube and Tech giant Meta clashed on Thursday following Meta’s announcement that it has begun removing users under the age of 16 from social media platforms, including Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, in Australia.
This is as the country prepares to enforce a world-first ban on underage access to social media.
Naijaonpoint reports that under the new law, major platforms, including Meta, TikTok and YouTube, must block users below 16 years old by December 10, or face penalties of A$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failing to take what authorities call “reasonable steps” to comply.
According to AFP, a Meta spokesperson said the company had started the removal process but stressed that compliance would be complex.
“While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process,” the spokesperson said.
The tech giant added that affected users would be able to download their account histories before their access is suspended.
“Before you turn 16, we will notify you that you will soon be allowed to regain access to these platforms, and your content will be restored exactly as you left it,” the spokesperson explained.
Instagram alone estimates that about 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15 will be affected by the ban.
Some Apps Escape Ban
Naijaonpoint understands that several popular apps, such as Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp, are currently exempt from the restriction, though regulators say the exemption list remains under review.
Despite pledging support for the law, Meta argued that app stores, not social media platforms, should be responsible for age verification.
“The government should require app stores to verify age and obtain parental approval whenever teens under 16 download apps, eliminating the need for teens to verify their age multiple times across different apps,” the spokesperson said.
“Social media platforms could then use this verified age information to ensure teens are in age-appropriate experiences.”
YouTube Argues Ban Will Make Teens ‘Less Safe’
However, YouTube has criticised the legislation, warning that it could inadvertently endanger minors.
The video-streaming company argued this week that the ban would make young Australians “less safe” because under-16s could still access YouTube without an account, but would lose embedded safety filters normally tied to logged-in profiles.
Australia’s Communications Minister, Anika Wells, dismissed the argument as “weird.”
“If YouTube is reminding us all that it is not safe and there’s content not appropriate for age-restricted users on their website, that’s a problem that YouTube needs to fix,” she said.
Wells added that some Australian teenagers had taken their own lives after harmful content overwhelmed them online, saying algorithms had “latched on” and fed content that damaged their self-esteem.
“This specific law will not fix every harm occurring on the internet, but it will make it easier for kids to chase a better version of themselves,” she insisted.
Legal Challenge Mounts As Digital Rights Group Heads To Court
Naija New understands that the Digital Freedom Project launched a High Court challenge last week to halt the ban, describing the legislation as an “unfair” attack on freedom of speech.
Australia’s online safety watchdog has warned that many underage users will likely try to evade the restrictions by uploading fake IDs or using AI tools to make themselves appear older.
Platforms are expected to develop robust detection systems, though regulators concede that “no solution is likely to be 100 percent effective.”
The global tech industry is watching closely as governments worldwide grapple with concerns about online harms.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has already indicated plans to block under-16s from joining social media platforms next year, while New Zealand is preparing similar restrictions.
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