Anika Wells, Australia's federal communications minister, has been included in Time magazine's list of "world's most influential rising stars". The recognition highlights her work on Australia's under-16 social media ban and her engagement with major technology companies.
Australia's restrictions on social media for children, which became effective last year, have garnered international attention. Governments in Europe, Asia, and some American states are reportedly enacting or proposing similar measures.
Former Labor prime minister, Julia Gillard, provided a testimonial for Wells, praising her for "championed world-leading reforms to protect young people from the harms of social media." Gillard stated that Wells has emerged as a significant voice in a global movement to redefine the relationship between technology and children's well-being.
Wells is also developing a digital duty of care framework as part of broader online safety reforms. These proposed changes would allow social media account holders to opt out of algorithms that push what is described as dangerous and divisive content into user feeds.
Sarah Henderson, the shadow communications minister, criticised the social media ban, claiming it had "failed." She also raised concerns about what she termed "draconian powers to control what Australians say and see online."