Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has accused the Albanese government of infringing on children’s rights by restricting their freedom of speech and access to information. The company is seeking a delay of at least six months to the impending Australian social media ban for users under the age of 16, set to take effect on December 10.
In a submission to an Australian Senate inquiry, X argued that less than one percent of its Australian users are under 16. The company contends that its content moderation teams, which were significantly reduced after Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022, can adequately protect young users. The proposed world-first ban also targets platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook and may extend to dating and gaming sites, including Lego Play, Reddit, Tinder, and Hinge, following a request from the eSafety Commissioner.
Regulatory Concerns and Human Rights
X has expressed concerns that the listing of platforms based on ministerial discretion poses a “significant risk of regulatory weaponisation” and threatens freedom of information, speech, and internet access. The company’s submission highlights potential conflicts with international human rights treaties, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Australia is a signatory.
The platform has requested a delay in the ban’s implementation, proposing a grace period for necessary engineering changes. X argues that children will find ways to circumvent the laws and suggests that empowering parents with greater control over their children’s social media use would be more effective than an outright ban.
Government’s Stance and International Relations
Communications Minister Anika Wells, speaking from New York, refuted X’s claims, asserting that the government’s actions are intended to protect children’s wellbeing, a priority also upheld by international agreements. “There is so much evidence now about the mental harms inflicted on children by early exposure to social media,” Wells stated on Nine’s Today show.
Wells emphasized her commitment to communicating the government’s expectations to tech platforms before the December 10 deadline. Although she did not disclose specific meetings, she mentioned that she had not scheduled a meeting with Elon Musk. “These are pioneering, innovative, and some of the richest companies in the world,” Wells remarked. “I think it’s reasonable to ask them to use some of that tech and revenue to look after our kids online.”
Political Reactions and Industry Implications
Opposition communications spokesperson Melissa McIntosh criticized Wells’ trip to the United States as a “PR tour” amidst ongoing issues like the Optus network outage and developments on the social media ban. “Australian parents and children are still left wondering how these changes will be implemented and which platforms will be included,” McIntosh noted, highlighting the confusion caused by the government’s approach.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the issue, posting on his platform Truth Social: “I will stand up to countries that attack our incredible American tech companies. Unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I will impose substantial additional tariffs on that country’s exports to the USA.” Trump and Musk, who have had a tumultuous relationship, recently met at a memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Future Steps and Industry Responses
As the December deadline approaches, the debate over the social media ban continues to unfold. Lego Play and Reddit have been contacted for comments, while Tinder declined to respond. Communications Minister Anika Wells clarified that gaming and messaging apps would not be included in the ban, but platforms must demonstrate to the eSafety Commissioner that they do not harbor harmful behavior.
The outcome of this regulatory challenge could set a precedent for how countries balance children’s rights with technological advancements and corporate interests. As discussions progress, stakeholders from various sectors will be watching closely to see how Australia’s pioneering legislation unfolds and what impact it may have on the global tech landscape.
