The Australian government has exempted YouTube from its newly introduced social media restrictions for minors under 16, a move that has drawn criticism from mental health and extremism experts. The legislation, set to take effect by the end of 2025, will block platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and X, but YouTube will remain accessible due to its perceived educational value.

Government officials stated that YouTube is not considered a core social media platform and plays an essential role in education, benefiting children, parents, and schools. The exemption follows discussions with YouTube executives and content creators, who emphasized the platform’s importance as an educational resource.

Despite this decision, researchers warn that YouTube exposes young users to harmful content, including extremist material and addictive videos. Studies indicate that the platform is the most widely used social media site among Australian teenagers, with nine out of ten aged 12 to 17 engaging with it regularly. Experts argue that YouTube's algorithm can direct young viewers toward far-right, misogynistic, and conspiracy-related content.

A Reuters investigation tested the platform’s algorithm using accounts set up with fictitious names of minors. Searches related to sex and COVID-19 led to harmful content within 20 clicks, while a search on European history exposed racist material after 12 hours of intermittent browsing. YouTube removed some flagged content but allowed other problematic videos to remain online.

While the company maintains that it has strict policies against hate speech and harmful material, experts believe the exemption contradicts the government's efforts to protect young users from online risks. The decision has sparked debate over whether YouTube should face the same restrictions as other social media platforms.