Teenagers launch legal challenge over Australia’s ban on social media for children

Two teenagers have launched a legal challenge over Australia’s ban on social media for children younger than 16.

The challenge comes two weeks before the law, a world first, is set to take effect.

It is being organised by The Digital Freedom Project campaign group which said on Wednesday it had launched proceedings in Australia’s high court in a bid to block the law.

Two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, are listed as plaintiffs in the case.

More than one million accounts held by teenagers under-16 are set to be deactivated in Australia when the ban on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram starts on 10 December.

The Digital Freedom Project claims the ban “robs” young Australians of their freedom of political communication, an implied right in the constitution. Australia does not have an express right to free speech.

“The legislation is grossly excessive,” the statement said.

Miss Neyland said the law would ban young people from sharing their views online.

“Young people like me are the voters of tomorrow… we shouldn’t be silenced. It’s like Orwell’s book 1984, and that scares me,” she said.

After news of the legal challenge broke, Australia’s communications minister Anika Wells said the country’s centre-left government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, would not be put off by threats and legal challenges.

“Despite the fact that we are receiving threats and legal challenges by people with ulterior motives, the Albanese Labor government remains steadfastly on the side of parents, and not of platforms,” Ms Wells said.

Australian media has reported that YouTube has also threatened to launch a legal challenge on the grounds that the ban stifled political communication.

Governments and tech firms worldwide are closely watching Australia’s effort to implement the ban – one of the most comprehensive global efforts to police minors’ social media access.

The ban was passed into law in November last year and is supported by the majority of Australians, according to opinion polling.

The Digital Freedom Project’s president is John Ruddick, a member of the Libertarian Party in the New South Wales state Parliament.

The Australian government said research showed social media over-use was harming young teens, including causing misinformation, enabling bullying and harmful depictions of body image.

Companies that fail to comply with the ban could face penalties of up to A$49.5m (£24.4m).

Source:   news.sky.com