Australia to Ban Social Media for Kids Under 16 Amid Legal Challenge

Melbourne, Nov 26 (AP) Australia is set to enact a groundbreaking law next month that prohibits young children from using social media, despite a legal challenge from a rights advocacy group. The Sydney-based Digital Freedom Project announced on Wednesday that it has filed a constitutional lawsuit in the High Court against legislation that will forbid Australians under 16 from accessing specified social media platforms starting December 10.

Communications Minister Anika Wells mentioned the legal action as she addressed Parliament, reaffirming the government's commitment to introducing the ban as planned. “We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm,” Wells declared in Parliament.

Digital Freedom Project president John Ruddick, who is also a state lawmaker in New South Wales for the minor Libertarian Party, criticized the ban. “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 stated. He further argued that the legislation represents “a direct assault on young people's right to freedom of political communication.”

The case, representing two 15-year-olds, is being prosecuted by the Sydney law firm Pryor, Tzannes and Wallis Solicitors. Sam Palmer, spokesperson for the Digital Freedom Project, was unable to confirm whether they would seek a court injunction to halt the restriction's implementation before the court hearing.

Tech giant Meta began notifying what it identified as potentially underage Australian users last week, urging them to download their digital histories and delete accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads before the legislation takes effect. The government has mandated platforms, including Meta's networks, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube, to take measures to exclude account holders under 16 or face hefty fines up to 50 million Australian dollars (USD 32 million).

In a similar vein, Malaysia announced plans to ban social media use for individuals under the age of 16 beginning in 2026. Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil indicated this decision is part of a broader strategy to protect minors from online dangers such as cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation. He noted that the Malaysian government is examining approaches used by Australia and other nations and exploring the possibility of employing electronic verification through identity cards or passports to ascertain users' ages. (AP)

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