Australia’s Young Nationals have called to cancel the under-16 social media ban that will begin on December 10. They warn the law will harm young people, especially in regional and remote areas who rely on social media to stay connected. “This ban risks cutting those kids off, inadvertently making things worse for them,” said Young Nationals president Charlie Plant. He added that the ban would push children to riskier and less regulated platforms, putting them in a vulnerable position. Coalition members including leader Sussan Ley, Andrew Bragg, and Matt Canavan have also voiced strong concern about the ban. Canavan called the law “draconian” and “a sledgehammer to crack a nut.” Ley described the ban as a “botched failure” and doubted it would work properly under Communications Minister Anika Wells. On the other hand, Minister Wells defended the ban at the National Press Club, saying parents strongly support it. She said the law is a “treatment plan” against mental health issues, bullying, and online addiction among children. Wells also denied social media users would be forced to show government ID. The ban passed Parliament last November with Coalition support, but many within the parties now question its effectiveness. Shadow communications minister Melissa McIntosh expressed doubts about age verification technology and said the government is weakening language on the law’s impact. Andrew Bragg criticized including YouTube in the ban and said regulation should come through Parliament, not bureaucracy. Overall, the debate continues as the December 10 start date nears, with calls from the Young Nationals to replace the ban with a classification system and enforced parental controls on devices.