Legal Challenge Initiated Against Australian Social Media Ban
Two 15-year-old individuals, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, have initiated a challenge in Australia's High Court against the nation's new social media legislation. The challenge is supported by the Digital Freedom Project (DFP).
This law, scheduled to take effect on December 10, mandates that social media platforms, including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, must prevent Australians under 16 from holding accounts. The DFP announced the filing of the case in the High Court on Wednesday.
Basis of the Challenge
The petitioners contend that the law disregards the rights of children to free communication. The DFP stated that the challenge will focus on the ban's impact on political communication and its proportionality concerning the law's stated aims.
The DFP argues that the ban could disproportionately affect vulnerable young people, including those with disabilities, First Nations youth, individuals in rural and remote areas, and LGBTIQ+ teens, by limiting their access to information and association. Noah Jones described the government's policy as