A 15-year-old Australian student has launched a High Court challenge against the government’s planned ban on social media for children under 16, warning that the restriction could make the internet more dangerous and widely circumvented.
Noah Jones, co-plaintiff in the case against Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, argues the law would isolate teenagers and push them toward riskier online behavior. The legislation, set to take effect on December 10, would block minors from accessing popular platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
“The law should cut out harmful content, not shut us out completely,” Jones told Reuters from his home in Sydney. “When kids do things in secret, that’s when things can be really harmful.” He emphasised that social media plays an essential role in keeping young people connected, sharing ideas, and participating in public discussions, likening it to a modern-day “town square.”
Jones also raised concerns about fairness and inequality, noting that tech-savvy teens would likely find ways around the ban while others would comply. “I most likely will get around the ban. I know a lot of my mates will,” he said. He argued that decisions on social media usage should be guided by parents rather than government mandates, giving families the ability to set appropriate boundaries.
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The lawsuit, which also includes another 15-year-old student, contends that the ban infringes constitutional rights. It calls for targeted measures to combat cyberbullying and predatory behavior instead of imposing a blanket age restriction. The legal action is supported by an advocacy group affiliated with a Libertarian Party member of the New South Wales state parliament.
Communications Minister Wells and eSafety Commissioner Inman Grant were not immediately available for comment. Wells has previously defended the law, maintaining that it is designed to protect children from harmful content and online predators.
The High Court has yet to schedule a hearing for the case, which could have major implications for Australia’s first nationwide social media age restriction and shape future policies on online safety for minors.