Australia's social media ban faces legal challenge

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Australia's social media ban faces legal challenge
Photo: Kiichiro Sato/APTT

Australia's upcoming ban on social media for those under 16 is being challenged. A group of online activists is now seeking to have the matter heard in the country's highest court.

When the new law comes into effect in December, social media platforms could face hefty fines if they do not remove all users under the age of 16.

The group The Digital Freedom Project, which believes the law is an attack on freedom of expression and has requested that Australia's High Court overturn the law, finds it unfair, AFP reports.

"This ban is a direct attack on young people's right to free political communication," the group writes in a press release.

The law has attracted considerable international attention and interest in whether it will work is high, as several governments struggle with how to protect young people from the harmful aspects of social media.

The Australian government has no plans to back down.

"We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges," said the minister responsible, Anika Wells, on Wednesday.

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