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Australian teens launch High Court challenge against social media ban
Two 15-year-old Australians have filed a constitutional challenge against the nation's upcoming ban on social media for under-16s, arguing it violates their right to free communication. The law, set to take effect on 10 December, requires platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to block accounts held by minors.
Government defends ban as tech firms and activists push back
The ban, championed by campaigners and the government as a measure to shield children from harmful content and algorithms, faces opposition from digital rights groups and tech companies. Communications Minister Anika Wells reaffirmed the government's stance in parliament, declaring, "We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by big tech."
Meanwhile, the Digital Freedom Project (DFP), a rights group backing the teens, argues the ban disproportionately harms vulnerable youth-including those with disabilities, First Nations communities, rural children, and LGBTIQ+ teenagers-who rely on social media for connection and information.
Teens compare ban to dystopian censorship
Plaintiffs Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, both 15, condemned the policy as overreach. "We shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's 1984, and that scares me," Neyland said in a statement. Jones called the government's approach "lazy," advocating for stronger safeguards instead of outright bans: "We are the true digital natives... They should protect kids with safeguards, not silence."
Legal battle centers on political communication and proportionality
The DFP, led by New South Wales parliamentarian John Ruddick, will argue that the ban infringes on political communication rights and lacks proportionality. The group proposes alternatives like digital literacy programs, age-appropriate platform features, and privacy-focused age verification tools.
Tech giants, including Google (YouTube's parent company), have reportedly considered their own legal challenges. While polls suggest most Australian adults support the ban, mental health advocates warn it could isolate youth or drive them to less-regulated online spaces.
Global implications of Australia's digital crackdown
The case, filed Wednesday, places Australia at the center of a global debate over children's online rights. If upheld, the ban could set a precedent for other nations grappling with youth internet safety-though critics argue it risks stifling free expression and access to information.
