Communications Minister Anika Wells revealed that The Wiggles attempted to influence the government regarding its decision to include YouTube in the upcoming legislation banning social media for users under 16. During an interview on Today, Wells indicated that the iconic children’s group had been sent to advocate for YouTube’s exemption from this ban, which is set to take effect in December.
Wells acknowledged The Wiggles as a "treasured Australian institution," yet she remained firm in her stance, arguing against their position. She highlighted the significant risk to children on YouTube, expressing concern that while The Wiggles prioritised the online access of their young fans, around 40% of children could potentially face online harm when using the platform.
The Wiggles previously argued that YouTube already had robust safety measures in place for young users and that restricting access could limit safer viewing options for parents. Despite these arguments, Wells was not convinced, stating that the potential risks to vulnerable users outweighed the group’s rationale.
YouTube Kids is anticipated to be spared from the ban. Nevertheless, Wells mentioned that the government is preparing for a potential backlash from Google, which owns YouTube, including possible legal challenges. She indicated readiness to face threats that might arise, asserting that these legislative changes are crucial.
In response to the ban, a YouTube representative maintained that the platform should be classified as a "video streaming platform" rather than a social media site, arguing against its inclusion in the ban on that basis. This announcement could disrupt previous commitments made by the government to exempt YouTube, leading YouTube to contemplate its next steps in addressing the situation.