Australia's Communications Minister has issued a stark warning to professional networking site LinkedIn, stating it could be added to the government's sweeping ban on social media for under-16s if it becomes a refuge for harmful behaviour.
All Platforms "On Notice" as Ban Looms
The Albanese government's controversial social media prohibition for children under 16 is set to commence on December 10. From that date, accounts belonging to minors on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube will be deactivated.
However, Communications Minister Anika Wells has taken the extraordinary step of putting all digital platforms "on notice," explicitly naming LinkedIn as a potential future target. While currently exempt, Wells warned that exemptions are not permanent and will be reviewed if a platform's primary purpose shifts.
"LinkedIn is currently an exempt platform," Wells stated. "But if everybody ends up on LinkedIn, and LinkedIn becomes a place where there is online bullying, algorithms targeting 13 to 16-year-olds in a way that's deteriorating their mental and physical health, then we will go after LinkedIn."
Teen "Migration" and Legal Challenges Emerge
The government is bracing for what Wells terms "migratory patterns" as tech-savvy teens seek alternatives. There is already evidence of a surge in downloads for lesser-known apps like Lemon8, a photo and video platform linked to TikTok, and Yubo.
"If we find that because they've been locked out of Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, what have you, they end up on Lemon8, then we will look at whether the harm has transferred there," Wells explained, adding that more information on Lemon8 would be provided this week.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant echoed the need for vigilance, suggesting the list of banned platforms would be dynamically updated based on user behaviour and primary purpose.
However, the policy faces significant opposition. Noah Jones, a 15-year-old Sydney high school student, has launched a High Court challenge against the government, arguing the ban violates his right to free expression.
"As a free Australian I should be able to express myself and in the modern world, that's online through social media," Noah told the Daily Mail. He warned the ban could drive behaviour underground, making teens less likely to report bullies or predators.
A Dynamic Approach to a Moving Target
Minister Wells emphasised the government's intent to be "agile and dynamic" in its response to the evolving digital landscape. The current list of exempt platforms includes:
- Discord and WhatsApp
- Google Classroom and YouTube Kids
- Messenger, Pinterest, and Roblox
- GitHub, Steam, and LEGO Play
With the legal working age in Australia being 14, LinkedIn often attracts older teens seeking part-time work or internships, complicating its status. The government's threat underscores its determination to follow harmful activity wherever it moves, even onto platforms designed for professional networking.
The coming weeks will test both the enforcement of the new ban and the resolve of young Australians determined to maintain their digital connections.
