The Albanese government describes Australia’s social media age restrictions as world-leading, and it is right. Denmark, Norway, France, Italy, Spain, Malaysia and New Zealand are all considering similar laws. Last week, the European Parliament approved a proposal by large majority calling for a ban on social media for people under 16. EU President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron have both voiced strong support.

The policy has equally vocal critics. In October 2024, 140 academics, child rights advocates and civil society organisations signed an open letter opposing the measure as undermining the digital rights of young people. The Digital Freedom Project has backed a constitutional challenge that is heading to Australia’s High Court, while Senator Ralph Babet proposed a repeal bill co-signed by senators including Pauline Hanson, Matt Canavan and Alex Antic.

The social media ban for under 16s begins in Australia on Wednesday, December 10.Credit: Getty Images

These eclectic coalitions for and against reveal competing visions of the internet itself. Some see it as US Justice Stewart Dalzell (later to sit on the Supreme Court) described in 1996: “the most participatory form of mass speech yet developed” that “deserves the highest protection from governmental intrusion”. Others argue that open internet has been superseded by a handful of global platforms dominated by the world’s largest corporations, engaged in algorithmic manipulation to maximise attention and advertising revenue.

Much has been made of the technical complexity of implementing age restrictions and how platforms can accurately verify whether users are under 16. There has been........

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