TikTok has strongly criticized the Australian government for exempting YouTube from its sweeping social media crackdown, which will prohibit users under 16 from most platforms, according to Bloomberg.
The Chinese-owned video-sharing app condemned the exemption as “illogical, anti-competitive, and short-sighted.”
In its submission to the Department of Communications, TikTok accused the government of offering YouTube a “sweetheart deal,” arguing that the Google-owned platform does not deserve to be classified as a health and education service. The new law, passed in November and set to take effect by the end of 2025, holds social media companies responsible for enforcing the under-16s ban, with penalties of up to A$50 million for non-compliance.
The exemption for YouTube has drawn criticism not only from TikTok but also from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, as well as Snap Inc., which owns Snapchat. Meta’s submission argued that the special treatment given to YouTube “makes a mockery” of the government’s goal to protect young people. However, TikTok’s response has been the most vocal, highlighting its concern that this regulation could set a dangerous precedent for other countries.
Government data reveals that YouTube is the most popular platform among Australian children. According to a study by the eSafety Commissioner, in 2024, roughly 80 percent of children between the ages of eight and 12 used at least one social media platform, with YouTube being the most widely used. Among this group, 68 percent watched YouTube, significantly outpacing TikTok at 31 percent and Snapchat at 19 percent. The popularity of YouTube is even more pronounced among older teens, with 73 percent of 13 to 15-year-olds reporting usage of the platform.
In response to the government’s decision to exempt YouTube from its social media crackdown, TikTok has voiced strong objections. The company argued that YouTube’s short-form content is “virtually indistinguishable” from its own, drawing a parallel to a scenario where soft drinks are banned for minors, yet Coca-Cola is given an exception. This comparison underscores TikTok’s belief that the exemption is unfair and not based on any significant difference between the platforms’ offerings.
The new law, which is set to take effect by the end of 2025, will prevent children under the age of 16 from using most social media platforms unless the companies can enforce strict age restrictions. The crackdown is intended to protect young users from harmful content and online risks. However, TikTok and other social media companies argue that this move will disproportionately affect their ability to engage with a key demographic: young users.
For tech companies and advertisers, children and teenagers represent an important audience. Social media platforms rely heavily on this age group to drive growth and maintain long-term user engagement. The exclusion of children under 16 could have significant consequences for platforms, particularly as they seek to expand their reach and attract younger users who are integral to their future success.
The impact of the exemption on YouTube, on the other hand, is less clear. Given the platform’s dominance among young Australians, some critics argue that the government’s decision to single out YouTube for special treatment undermines the intended fairness of the crackdown. This has sparked widespread backlash not only from TikTok but also from other major players in the industry, including Meta and Snap, who believe that the exemption could create an uneven playing field for social media platforms moving forward.
With YouTube exempt, TikTok, Meta, and Snap now seem united in their objective: to avoid shouldering the regulatory burden alone. Despite holding private talks with government officials, these tech companies appear to have made minimal progress in influencing the law’s implementation.
