Teens Challenge Australia’s New Social Media Ban in High Court
Australia’s new social media ban for children is now facing a major legal challenge. Two teenagers, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, have taken the case to the High Court. They say the ban is unconstitutional and removes the rights of young people.
From 10 December, social media platforms like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube must block all users under 16 years old. The government says the ban will protect children from harmful content and unsafe online algorithms.
However, many young people disagree.
Noah and Macy, who are both 15, say the law stops them from communicating freely. They also believe social media helps teens learn, connect, and stay informed. Macy said the ban feels like something from the book 1984, where people lose their voices and freedom.
Even after the case became public, the government refused to change its position. Communications Minister Anika Wells said the government will not back down from legal challenges or pressure from tech companies.
The case is supported by the Digital Freedom Project (DFP). The group says the ban will hurt many vulnerable teenagers. These include:
- Teens with disabilities
- Indigenous youth
- Teens from remote or rural areas
- LGBTIQ+ young people
According to DFP, teens use social media to communicate, learn, and understand politics. They say a complete ban is not the right solution. Instead, they suggest:
- Stronger digital literacy education
- Age-appropriate platform features
- Safer age verification tools
- Better privacy protections
Noah Jones said the government’s approach is “lazy”. He believes teens should be protected through better safeguards, not through a full ban.
There are also reports that Google, which owns YouTube, may challenge the law as well.
Many Australian adults support the ban. But some mental health experts warn that removing teens from social media may isolate them. Others say teens might move to unsafe and unregulated websites.
This High Court case may shape how countries around the world handle children’s access to social media in the future.
