Australia Faces Legal Challenge over Social Media Age ban
CANBERRA – A legal challenge โฃhasโข been launched in the High Court of Australia seeking to overturn a new law restricting access to major social media platforms for children under 16. The Digital Freedom project, a group advocating for internet users’ rights, filed the appealโ on November 26, arguing the legislation infringes โupon constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression.
The law, passed by the Australian โparliament in Novemberโ 2024, โmandates โฃthat TikTok, instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook verify users’ ages and block thoseโ under 16. โViolations could result in fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately 28 million euros) for โคthe platforms.The Digital Freedom project contends the ban “constitutes a direct violation of young peopel’s right to freedom of communication,”โข and is being pursued on behalf of two 15-year-old boys representing the broader demographic affected.
According to government data, โคapproximately 350,000 Instagram and 150,000 Facebook users in Australia are currently between the ages of 13 and 15. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously stated the government’s rationale for โขthe law, citing โคconcerns that social media exposes โขchildren to “strong social pressure, generating anxiety,” and creates โopportunities for exploitation by scammers and sexual predators.
Communications Minister โAnika Wells addressed the โฃchallenge in parliament on November 26, asserting, “we will not beโ intimidated by complaints, threats and pressure from technology companies.”
Despite the legal challenge, questions remain regarding the practical implementation of the ban, with some experts suggestingโ it may prove largely symbolic due to technical difficulties. The case is being closely watched internationally as numerous countries โconsider similar โคrestrictions onโ children’s access to social media.
