The founders of a news channel run almost entirely by teenagers have hit back after Australia’s Labor Party’s social media ban passed parliament earlier this week.
The founder of an Australian news channel staffed by teenage journalists has responded to new laws banning under-16s from using social media.
Leo Puglisi, 17, has been in the media since he was 11 and has been running the online news service 6 News.
Five years later, the site has grown into an hourly newsletter with nearly 30,000 subscribers on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of followers on other social media platforms.
Leonardo Puglisi founded 6 News when he was 11, using social media to reach his audience. Image credit: Supplied/YouTube
Responding to the legislation passed by parliament on Friday, Puglisi said the ban “has a serious potential to restrict the creativity of our young people”.
“As Australia’s only national streaming news channel run almost entirely by high school students, 6 News has been asked many times what the government’s social media ban on under-16s means for us,” he said.
“Let’s be clear: 6 News is not going away.”
The ban will prevent children under 16 from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Photo: NewsWire/Nikki Short
The Melbourne-based news boss said his site was set up by people of exactly the age group the laws seek to ban when they come into force in late 2025.
He said: “Our team is made up of many young journalists – some are still in high school, others are preparing for college.
“With the ban not taking effect for at least another 12 months, a lot could change.
“But no matter what, we will remain here for you, bringing you independent, unbiased journalism that people of all ages can trust.”
The new laws come amid concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.
Under the legislation, social media companies will need to take steps to ensure that people under the age of 16 cannot access their platforms, and could face fines of up to $49.5 million if they fail to do so.
There will be no penalties for parents or children who fail to comply.
The exact details of the age verification process have yet to be confirmed, but Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has confirmed that users will not need to hand over a government-issued ID to prove their age.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was to protect children. Photo: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The ban will be implemented on a trial basis starting in January next year and will come into effect at the end of 2025.
Critics argue that the ban will not improve children’s mental health but will isolate them from online communities and resources, preventing them from getting help.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move would “deliver better outcomes and reduce harm for young Australians”.
“Social media is causing social harm to our children and I want Australian parents to know we have their backs,” he said.
“I’ve seen some parents who have lost and buried their children and it’s devastating.
“As a government we can’t listen to parents and say: ‘This is too difficult’.
“We have a responsibility to act, and my administration has done just that.”