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Teenagers launch legal challenge over Australia's ban on social media for children

The Digital Freedom Project and two teens argue the ban on under-16 social media accounts infringes on the implied constitutional right to political communication, affecting 2.6 million youths.

  • On Wednesday, the Digital Freedom Project filed proceedings in the High Court of Australia challenging the ban on Australians under 16 from Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.
  • Led by John Ruddick, Digital Freedom Project president and New South Wales parliamentarian, the challenge says laws due December 10 are "grossly excessive" and trespass on the implied freedom of political communication.
  • Platforms risk fines up to $49.5 million if they fail to comply, while the group says the ban will 'rob' more than 2.5 million young Australians, affecting 2.6 million when enforced.
  • Communications Minister Anika Wells said the federal government remains 'firm' in its commitment to implement the laws next month despite limited High Court sitting days and acknowledged the ban is imperfect.
  • DFP proposed alternatives and Neyland said the ban risks vulnerable groups, urging digital literacy, age-appropriate features, and privacy-first assurance, as Snapchat enforces restrictions and Google warned YouTube's ban limits political input.
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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government has ruled that its ban on social media access for minors will take effect next month as scheduled, despite a challenge Wednesday from a rights group…

·Calhoun, United States
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B&T broke the news in on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
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