The federal government has been accused of making a "sweetheart deal" to exempt YouTube from the teen social media ban, as YouTube's competitors kick off a co-ordinated public campaign against the move.

Australia has proposed an exemption from its landmark social media ban so that children can use YouTube for school.

Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat are challenging Australia's decision to exempt YouTube from its strict social media ban for users under 16, arguing that the platform poses similar risks and that regulations should be applied equally across all social media companies.

Tech companies like Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok urge Australia to apply its social media ban law consistently, criticizing the exemption of YouTube. This law forbids social media access for children under 16.

Tech giants Facebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms , Snapchat and TikTok have urged Australia to reconsider a decision to exempt Alphabet's YouTube from its laws banning social media for children younger than 16.

TikTok criticised the Australian government for exempting YouTube from a new law banning under-16s from most social media platforms. The company argues this creates unfair competition and sets a concerning precedent,

Australia's plan to exempt YouTube from a world-leading teen social media ban is "illogical" and a "mockery", rival tech giants Meta and TikTok said Wednesday.