Australia's Social Media Ban Has Had Only a Modest Effect on Teenagers' Political Communication, Government Tells Court

Published 2026-11-04

The Australian government has told a court that its social media ban for young people has had only a small effect on how teenagers communicate about politics. The ban, which restricts children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms, was introduced to protect young people's wellbeing. However, it has also raised questions about whether young Australians can still take part in public debate online.

Lawyers representing the government argued in court that the law does not stop teenagers from expressing their political views. They said that young people can still read news, follow political discussions and share their opinions in other ways, such as through messaging apps and face-to-face conversations. According to the government, the restrictions are proportionate and balanced against the need to protect minors from harmful content.

Critics of the ban, including some legal experts and youth advocacy groups, have questioned this position. They argue that social media is one of the main places where young people learn about current affairs and take part in political activism, especially on issues such as climate change. The court case is expected to examine whether the law unfairly limits freedom of expression and how much impact it has had so far.

The outcome of the case could influence how Australia regulates online platforms in the future. For now, the government maintains that the ban is working as intended, while the court considers the arguments from both sides.

Sources: The Guardian

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