Australia’s upcoming ban on social media access for users under 16 has been challenged in the High Court, just two weeks before the world-first law is due to take effect.
The case was filed by digital rights advocacy group Digital Freedom Project, with two 15-year-old students, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, named as plaintiffs. The group argues the law violates the implied constitutional right to political communication.
More than one million under-16 accounts across YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook are expected to be deactivated when the law comes into force on December 10.
Digital Freedom Project said the legislation was “grossly excessive” and would silence young voices. One of the plaintiffs, Neyland, compared the policy to 1984, saying the law “scares” her.
Communications Minister Anika Wells told Parliament the Albanese government “will not be intimidated” by lawsuits, saying it stands with parents rather than tech platforms. Reports suggest YouTube also considered filing a similar High Court challenge.
The ban, passed in 2024, followed research linking heavy social media use to bullying, misinformation and negative body-image trends among teens. Platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32.2m).
