A constitutional challenge has been filed against Australia’s social media ban on children under 16, just two weeks before the law takes effect.
The campaign group Digital Freedom Project launched proceedings in the High Court of Australia. Two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, are plaintiffs in the case.
The law, set to start on December 10, will deactivate over one million accounts held by teenagers under 16. Platforms affected include YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram.
In a statement, the Digital Freedom Project said the social media ban “robs” young Australians of their freedom of political communication, which is an implied constitutional right. Australia does not have an explicit right to free speech.
“The legislation is grossly excessive,” the group added, calling for the law to be overturned before implementation.
Plaintiff Macy Neyland expressed concern that the law would silence young voices. “Young people like me are the voters of tomorrow … we shouldn’t be silenced. It’s like Orwell’s book 1984, and that scares me,” she said.
The campaign group argued that the social media ban limits not only personal expression but also engagement with civic and political issues. They stressed that teenagers use social media to discuss important topics and participate in public debates.
Legal experts say the High Court will consider whether the ban infringes on constitutional rights and if it is justified in protecting children online. The decision could set a precedent for digital regulation and youth rights in Australia.
The case has drawn international attention as Australia becomes the first country to implement such strict age-based social media restrictions. Observers are closely watching how the court balances child safety with freedom of expression.
The High Court is expected to hear the case in the coming weeks, determining whether the social media ban will proceed as planned or be blocked temporarily.
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