Federal communications minister Anika Wells has been named one of Time magazine's "world's most influential rising stars" in recognition of her work on Australia's under-16 social media ban and taking on big tech companies.
Australia's world-leading restrictions on social media for children, which came into force last year, have garnered international attention, with governments across Europe and Asia, and in some American states, enacting or proposing similar measures.
Recognition amid ongoing questions
Wells' inclusion on the Time100 list of "leaders who are shaping the future" is the latest recognition of the Australian government's efforts to regulate big tech – but comes amid ongoing questions about the effectiveness of the ban and how it is being enforced by social media companies and Australian regulators.
Wells was named alongside a testimonial written by the former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard, who praised the communications minister for having "championed world-leading reforms to protect young people from the harms of social media".
Gillard's praise and Wells' response
"As the world grapples with the extraordinary power of social media and the increasingly pervasive role it plays, Anika Wells has emerged as one of the most significant voices in a growing global movement to reframe the relationship between technology and the well-being of our children," Gillard wrote.
"Even in the face of intense opposition from some of the world's largest tech companies, she remains steadfast … Future generations will look back on her landmark changes as courageous and trail-blazing."
Responding to her inclusion, Wells – who is also the minister for sport – told Guardian Australia: "In Brisbane we know premierships are won by the whole team, not one player."
Next steps and political reaction
Wells is now working on a world-leading digital duty of care framework, as part of broader online safety reforms. The changes would allow social media account holders to opt out of the algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users' feeds, which is also generating backlash from big tech companies and political opponents.
Sarah Henderson, the shadow communications minister, said in a statement: "Australians don't judge ministers by glossy magazine lists, they judge them by their actions." She repeated criticisms of the social media ban, which she claimed had "failed", as well as "draconian powers to control what Australians say and see online".
Also named on the list are the musicians Sombr and PinkPantheress, soccer player Folarin Balogun, US senator Andy Kim, Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten, and Donald Trump's political adviser James Blair. The Australian musician Troye Sivan was also included on the "influential rising stars" list, with a testimonial written by Kylie Minogue.
