The founder of an Australian news channel staffed exclusively by teenage journalists has responded to new laws which will ban children under the age of 16 from social media.
Leo Puglisi, 17, has run the online news service 6 News since beginning his media career at age 11. In five years the site had grown to now broadcast hourly bulletins and boasts almost 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, alongside hundreds of thousands of followers across other social media platforms.
"The ban seriously risks restricting creativity from our young people," said Mr Puglisi in response to the legislation passing parliament on Friday.
'As Australia's only national streaming news channel run almost entirely by teenagers in high school, 6 News has been asked many times about what the government's under-16s social media ban means for us,' he said. 'Let's be clear: 6 News is not going away.'
The Melbourne-based news boss said his online site had been built up by the very age group the laws would seek to ban when implemented at the end of 2025. 'Our team is made up of many young journalists - some still in high school, while others are preparing to enter university,' he said.
"With the ban not coming into effect for at least 12 months, there's serious potential for a lot to change. But no matter what, we will still be here for you, bringing all ages trusted independent and impartial journalism."
The new laws come amid concern over the mental health impact of social media on young people. Under the legislation, social media companies will need to take steps to ensure under-16s cannot access their platforms, facing fines of up to $49.5 million for breaches.
Parents or children who fail to comply will not face any penalties. The specifics of the age-verification process have yet to be confirmed; however Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has confirmed users will not have to hand over government issued ID to prove their age.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heralded the move as something that would encourage "better outcomes and less harm for young Australians." He stated, "Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs."