SA premier seeking to be heard in High Court challenge against social media ban
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is seeking to be heard in a High Court challenge against Australia's incoming social media ban for under-16s.
The premier visited an Adelaide school today, where he addressed students and defended the ban in an effort to garner support for the contentious legislation.
However, with the ban just eight days away, student reactions have been mixed.
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South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is seeking to be heard in a High Court challenge against Australia's incoming social media ban for under-16s. Nine
"It will definitely be better for teens' health but there is also a lot of cons because you are taking away a lot of things that people use in their everyday lives," high schooler Carmeli Varricchio said.
The legislation has been challenged in the High Court by 15-year-olds Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, with the support of NSW Libertarian MP John Ruddick.
"Left-wing governments around the world, including Mr Malinauskas, crave the power to censor the internet... that's what we are seeing," Ruddick said.
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The social media ban for under 16s will come into effect in eight days. Nine
The premier defended the ban, and said he wanted to be heard in the High Court challenge, more than a year after first proposing the legislation at a state level.
"We know that every single day that goes by where social media companies are acting unregulated is another day where Australian kids are done harm," Malinauskas said.
Ruddick has sought a High Court injunction to prevent the ban from taking effect next week, which is yet to be ruled on.
His full case will be heard next year.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
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