Anika Wells named one of world’s most influential emerging leaders by Time magazine
Communications Minister Anika Wells has been named one of the world’s most influential rising stars for her role in Australia’s social media ban for under-16s by a leading international magazine.
The Australian politician has been included in the Time100 Next 2026: The World’s Most Influential Rising Stars list.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has been named one of the world’s most influential rising stars. Alex Ellinghausen
Writing for Time, former prime minister Julia Gillard praised Wells for taking on some of the world’s biggest technology companies to introduce tougher protections for children online.
Time100 Next has been published annually since 2019 and recognises emerging figures across politics, entertainment, sport, business and other fields.
Gillard described Wells as “one of the most significant voices” in an international push to rethink the relationship between social media and children’s wellbeing.
She also lauded Wells for remaining “steadfast” despite opposition to the laws.
Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media minimum age of 16 when the ban came into effect in December last year.
The policy attracted criticism before its introduction, including concerns about how effectively ages could be verified and fears teenagers would simply find ways around the restrictions.
Those concerns have not disappeared.
Early research into the ban found that about 42.1 per cent of Australians aged under 16 were still using social media after the laws took effect, down from 52.4 per cent beforehand, according to eSafety Commission data.
Still, Australia’s approach has gained international attention, with other countries pursuing similar restrictions.
Australia was the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban. iStock
The UK announced in June that it will introduce its own under-16 social media ban, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy recently confirming it will come into effect in March 2027.
The recognition by Time comes after Wells faced scrutiny over her taxpayer-funded travel, including trips to spruik the ban.
An audit by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority found four trips among almost 250 taken over four years did not fully meet parliamentary expense rules.
Wells repaid $10,116, comprising $8093 in expenses and a $2023 fine.
She previously said the audit found “no misconduct or ethical breaches” and described the claims as “honest mistakes”.
The audit found other claims that had attracted public attention, including a nearly $95,000 trip to New York and travel linked to Boxing Day Test matches, were appropriate.
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