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.

Social media apps demand re-evaluation of the Albanese government's media ban and YouTube's special treatment.

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.

Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat have criticized Australia for exempting YouTube from the under-16 social media ban law, which was passed last year.

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.

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