Australia's communications minister hailed as top global influencer for youth social media ban
Communications Minister Anika Wells was named among Time's 100 most influential rising stars for spearheading Australia's pioneering ban on social media for users under 16.
Australia's communications minister, Anika Wells, has been included in Time's 100 most influential rising stars, highlighted for her role in introducing the world's first ban on social media access for under-16s. In a citation written by former prime minister Julia Gillard, Wells was lauded as a key advocate for youth safety online, persisting despite pushback from leading technology companies. The Australian ban, which took effect in December, has inspired over 20 other countries to enact comparable restrictions.
The policy was showcased at the United Nations in 2025, though Wells later faced criticism over the cost of her trip to New York. Building on the ban, she is now advocating a digital duty of care that would obligate platforms to protect users and offer an option to view feeds without algorithmic curation. The Time list also featured figures such as horror director Curry Barker, actor Cooper Hoffman, soccer star Folarin Balogun and singer Raye.
Why it matters
The recognition underscores global attention on regulating youth access to social media and the growing push for digital safety standards.
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