Australian government defends social media ban for under 16s in court
Government lawyers argued that social media use posed risks to children, and action is needed to protect them.
The Australian government has defended its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16 in court, as it faces a legal challenge that could have global implications.
Government lawyers argued on Wednesday that social media use posed several risks to children, including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. They described the ban as “modest in extent” and argued that restrictions on freedom of political expression were “indirect”.
The case has been brought by US social media platform Reddit and Sydney-based rights group Digital Freedom Project. They argue that the measure is disproportionate and infringes the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian Constitution.
A defeat for the Australian government could represent a setback for other countries seeking to follow its lead.