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

Two 15-year-olds and the Digital Freedom Project argue the social media ban infringes on constitutional free political communication rights and disproportionately impacts vulnerable youth.

  • From December 10, the law will bar children under 16 from holding accounts on ten social media firms including Meta's Instagram, TikTok and Snap's Snapchat.
  • Communications Minister Anika Wells says the Australian government aims to protect children from harmful content and online predators, while officials test age-verification technology amid doubts about effectiveness.
  • Platforms must use age checks and AI detection and behavioural analysis to stop under-16s, facing fines up to $49.5m for non-compliance.
  • Families face disruption as an estimated 150,000 Facebook, 350,000 Instagram, and 400,000 Snapchat users under 16 may lose access, with parents preparing to save memories and plan activities.
  • Two teenagers have launched a High Court challenge arguing the ban ignores children's rights, while Communications Minister Anika Wells says, `We stand firm on the side of parents and not on the platforms,` and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant faces international scrutiny.
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B&T broke the news in on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
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