Australia's High Court Reviews Social Media Ban for Under-16s Amidst Free Speech Concerns
Australia's highest court is currently reviewing a world-first ban that prohibits children younger than 16 from holding social media accounts. Government lawyers argued before the High Court that the ban is essential to protect developing brains from the adverse effects of social media. The ban, which took effect last year, targets platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Twitch. The legal challenges against the ban were brought by Reddit, a U.S. online forum, and the Sydney-based rights group Digital Freedom Project. Government lawyer Joanna Davidson outlined seven risks to children, including addictive use, adverse sleep effects, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, exacerbation of disordered eating, and intensification of ADHD symptoms. The challengers contend that the ban infringes upon the implied right to freedom of political communication in Australia's constitution.