Australia to Enforce Social Media Ban for Children Amid Court Challenge

The Australian government confirmed that a new law banning 👧Children🔞Under 16 from using certain social media platforms will go into effect next month, despite a legal challenge filed on Wednesday.

According to The Associated Press, the Sydney-based Digital Freedom Project has taken the legislation to the High Court, arguing that the law infringes on young people’s rights.

The law, set to take effect on Dec. 10, prohibits Australian 👧Children younger than 16 from holding accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube.

Communications Minister Anika Wells addressed the challenge in Parliament, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the ban.

“We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm,” she said.

The Digital Freedom Project, led by New South Wales lawmaker John Ruddick, criticized the legislation as an overreach.

“Parental supervision of online activity is today the paramount parental responsibility. We do not want to outsource that responsibility to government and unelected bureaucrats,” Ruddick said. He added, “This ban is a direct assault on young people’s right to freedom of political communication.”