The ban on social media for U16s are harmful to the children they think they are protecting and also harmful to our democracy in Australia. The proposed ban plans to ban Australian people under the Age of 16 from accessing social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, Snapchat and possibly Reddit along with others.

The proposed ban could face international backlash as well as protests against the decision as it is the highest age ban currently in the world (excluding countries which have total bans on social media eg. China). If the ban is followed through within the next few months to the next year, this could significantly harm the access to international media, since media is governed by their own nations, banning children under the age of 16 would no longer have access to media which gives info from multiple perspectives as well as lesser media which would not gain traction from News Sites or YouTube. The political climate in which we live in is also becoming less trustworthy and the youth knows, with American creators, (who are also facing a ban for TikTok,) such as Dylan Page and Greg Johnstone.

The proposed ban is also showing critical backlash and evidence from Australian creator Tom Cashman, showing how the social media ban could potentially increase the chances of Cyberbullying from online societies from other countries because of the lack of knowledge of the outside worlds, trends, memes and information. The creator also points out how the ban could potentially reduce Cultural Literacy amongst Australian youth in which they are facing up to a 8 year reduction of literacy.

Other statements from Australian and American creators have raised awareness over the lack of understanding in which the ban will face, simple VPNs could prevent Australian Youth from facing the ban, made clear by Kat Clark and Omar Aragamy. Negative reception has also been picked up by representatives of the Australian Government along with Well Known Australian celebrities such as Jimmy Rees, Aiv Puglielli, Matt Canavan, Lewis Spears, Jacqui Lambie, Fatima Payman, Phizzi, Leo Puglisi and Sam Fricker. The ban has been picked up by hundreds of smaller creators in criticism.

The CEO’s and Parent Companies of some of the potential banned have also listed their concern for vagueness and obstruction of freedom. A statement on X from the CEO, Elon Musk, states “Seems like a back door way to control access to the internet by all Australians”. Voicing concern that this could lead to the obstruction of free speech and facing a fascist government. A statement from Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, have stated that they are “Concerned about the process which rushed the legislation through while failing to properly consider the evidence, what industry already does to ensure age-appropriate experiences, and the voices of young people”. A Snapchat spokesperson questioned the bill because of “Serious Concerns” and “Many unanswered questions”. A final statement from TikTok says that “It’s entirely likely the ban could see young people pushed to darker corners of the internet where no community guidelines, safety tools, or protections exist.” A statement from Reddit has not been established.

The reaction of political leaders, influencers and the companies facing bans in question are critical of how rushed and dangerous this could be as well as the long term plan and future of the democracy. This petition hopes to postpone or cancel the ban in hopes that the democracy can be preserved and the bill rethought and processed carefully over.