In a landmark legal battle, two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, supported by a rights organization, have initiated a High Court challenge against Australia's new social media ban, which prevents individuals under the age of 16 from maintaining accounts on platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and YouTube. The teenagers contend that the restriction undermines their rights and is equivalent to censorship reminiscent of George Orwell's '1984'.
The legislation, effective from December 10, aims to shield minors from harmful online content and algorithms, a move endorsed by both campaigners and the Australian government. Despite this, the Digital Freedom Project (DFP), backing the teens, asserted in their High Court filing that the prohibition disproportionately affects political communication and fails to consider the needs of vulnerable youth, including those with disabilities, First Nations youth, and LGBTIQ+ teenagers.
Communications Minister Anika Wells maintained the government's stance, declaring in parliament their intention to uphold the ban in the face of legal challenges and pressure from tech giants. Meanwhile, John Ruddick, a New South Wales parliamentarian and leader of the DFP, argued for alternative measures like digital literacy programs and age-appropriate platform features that offer better privacy protection.
Jones criticized the policy as 'lazy', emphasizing the youth's need to engage with the digital world while remaining protected. He, along with mental health advocates, warned of the potential risks of pushing young people towards more unregulated online spaces.
While polls indicate significant adult support for the ban, the tech companies tasked with its implementation are less than enthusiastic, with reports suggesting that Google, owner of YouTube, might also consider a constitutional challenge.