Millions of Australian Teens Lose Access To Social Media As Ban Takes Effect

Australia's world-first ban blocking under-16s from major social platforms has come into effect. The BBC is live reporting the reactions 'both from within Australia and outside it.' From the report: I've been speaking to 12-year-old Paloma, who lives in Sydney and says she is 'sad' about the ban. She spends between 30 minutes and two hours a day on social media. 'I'm upset... because I am part of several communities on Snapchat and TikTok,' she tells me. 'I've developed good friendships on the apps, with people in the US and New Zealand, who have common interests like gaming, and it makes me feel more connected to the world.'

Paloma says she regularly talks about the ups and downs of her life with a boy of the same age in New Jersey, in the US, who she knows through gaming and TikTok. 'I feel like I can explore my creativity when I am in a community online with people of similar ages,' she says. Everyone Paloma knows is 'a bit annoyed' about the ban. By stopping them from using social media, she says 'the government is taking away a part of ourselves.'

Two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, backed by a rights group, are arguing at Australia's highest court that the legislation robs them of their right to free communication. The Digital Freedom Project (DFP) announced the case had been filed in the High Court late last month. After news of the case broke, Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells told parliament the government would not be swayed. 'We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm,' she said.

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