SYDNEY: Rival tech giants Meta and TikTok criticized Australia’s plan to exempt YouTube from its teen social media ban, calling it "illogical" and a "mockery."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s proposed laws aim to ban under-16s from social media by 2025, with heavy fines for platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. However, YouTube would be exempted for educational purposes.

TikTok’s Ella Woods-Joyce argued the exemption gives YouTube an unfair advantage, while Meta echoed concerns that it undermines the government’s intent to protect young users. Both companies pointed out that YouTube shares features and harmful content similar to their platforms.

Australia’s social media ban, one of the strictest globally, will take effect by December 2025.