Australia’s social media ban facing court challenge
Australia’s social media ban on children under 16 is facing a Supreme Court challenge.
The world’s leading restrictions will come into effect on December 10 and children will be removed from platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.
In a statement Wednesday, the Digital Freedom Project announced it has filed a lawsuit in the nation’s highest court seeking to overturn the law.
The group will challenge the ban on the grounds that it “robs” more than 2.5 million young Australians of their constitutionally implied right to political communication.
The Australian constitution does not explicitly protect freedom of expression.
The plaintiffs include teenagers Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, both 15 years old.
Digital Freedom Project chairman and NSW MP John Ruddick described the ban as disproportionate and said it was a “direct attack on young people’s right to freedom of political communication”.
“It is not the government’s job to parent children, it should be the responsibility of families to decide when their children are ready for social media,” he said.
“This is the most draconian legislation of its kind in the world.
“Even the Chinese Communist Party will be salivating at this situation.”
The group called the law “grossly excessive.”
Social media companies face fines of up to $49.5 million if they don’t take “reasonable steps” to block young users by the deadline.
Platforms are required to implement age assurance technology, but the eSafety Commission has not specified a specific type or method.
Communications Minister Anika Wells previously said the list would be fluid, meaning more platforms could be added.
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