The federal Opposition has demanded that government release the research underpinning the eSafety Commissioner’s decision to include YouTube in its social media ban, saying the uncertainty of incomplete information was causing confusion.
Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh has criticised both the Communications minister Anika Wells and eSafey commissioner Julie Inman-Grant for their refusal to share the broader findings of the research, despite Ms Grant relying heavily on select findings during her address to the National Press Club two weeks ago.
The Opposition has also complained that it is still waiting for an incoming briefing on the Communications portfolio, with the minister’s office yet to officially respond to a month-old request.
This made it difficult to get the full picture of where the government is going with the safety of Australian children online, according to Ms McIntosh’s office.
“The government must make its position clear on YouTube, and all platforms immediately, and they must release the research underpinning the eSafety Commissioner’s recommendation,” Ms McIntosh said in a statement.
“The uncertainty is causing confusion on a subject that is meant to be about protecting our kids from online harms,” she said.
“The evidence is the evidence and regardless of the findings, the government needs to release it. That is the expectation of stakeholders, the public and the opposition.”
According to the commissioner, YouTube was most frequently cited in the research as the social media platform that exposed “almost four in ten children” to content associated with harm, including exposure to misogynistic or hateful material, dangerous online challenges, violent fight videos, and content promoting disordered eating.
Ms Inman Grant deflected questions about the survey supporting a YouTube exemption at the time, saying she was more concerned “about the safety of children and that’s always going to surpass any concerns I have about politics or being liked or bringing the public onside”.
Despite supporting the government’s position on including YouTube in the social media minimum age limits as “a logical thing to do” two days ago, Ms McIntosh has since pointed out in a statement out that the opposition is still waiting for an incoming briefing on the Communications portfolio, or even an official response.
“There are still more questions than answers right now about how age will be verified, what platforms are in or out, and what reasonable steps need to be taken by 10 December 2025,” she said.
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