Anika Wells named on Time100 list for work on Australia's under-16 social media ban

Time100 Recognition

Anika Wells, Australia's federal communications minister, has been named one of Time magazine’s “world’s most influential rising stars.” This recognition is specifically for her work on Australia’s under-16 social media ban and her engagement with large technology companies.

Australia's Social Media Restrictions

Australia's restrictions on social media for children, which became effective last year, have attracted international notice. Governments in Europe, Asia, and some American states are considering or implementing similar measures. The former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard provided a testimonial, praising Wells for championing reforms to protect young people from social media harms.

Ongoing Regulatory Efforts

Wells is currently developing a digital duty of care framework as part of broader online safety reforms. These changes would allow social media account holders to opt out of algorithms that push potentially harmful content into user feeds. This initiative has also faced opposition from tech companies and political figures.

Criticism and Context

The recognition comes amidst ongoing questions regarding the effectiveness of the social media ban and its enforcement by social media companies and Australian regulators. Sarah Henderson, the shadow communications minister, criticized the ban as having “failed” and described proposed powers as “draconian.”