Gillaine Heather: Free Speech Union CEO says social media ban will do more harm than good

04/12/2025 9 min
Gillaine Heather: Free Speech Union CEO says social media ban will do more harm than good

Listen "Gillaine Heather: Free Speech Union CEO says social media ban will do more harm than good"

Episode Synopsis

From December 10, Australia is requiring multiple major social media platforms and websites to remove underage accounts or face a hefty fine in their under-16 social media ban. The platforms effected include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. This move by the Australian Government is a world first, and has sparked conversations in other countries, including New Zealand.   But, Free Speech Union CEO Gillaine Heather calls it 'legislative virtue signalling'. "I think the problem is real. You know, if there's predatory algorithms, if there's harm to kids from some of the social media, address the problem, but make it a proportional response," she told Matt and Tyler. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.