Ep 68: Social media plaintiffs in the High Court, and a childhood favourite

Show notes In keeping with our tradition of breaking with tradition, this month’s episode covers a single thing, in two parts. Liz and Dany have a good hard look at the High Court challenge to Australia’s social media minimum age legislation, specifically the submissions of the people who are bringing it, or the plaintiffs as we law nerds call them. You may have not known this, but Liz is a former constitutional law lecturer, so she is flexing some familiar muscles as she talks through the implied freedom of political communication, and how it might apply to this legislation. Stay tuned for a similar in-depth analysis of the defendants’ submissions, when they come out. It will be especially interesting to see what the eSafety Commissioner has to say about it all, considering she originally opposed the legislation anyway. But here, we unpack a range of different aspects to the argument about whether the law is proportionate to protecting children. What difference does it make if the law is ineffective? What will happen if the High Court finds the evidence of harm equivocal? It’s a little bit nerdy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not interesting! AND we are pleased to announce the return of our movie reviews. This time we hear all about the recent version of *The Magic Faraway Tree*. Did you love the books too? What did you think of the movie? Liz alludes in the show to the risk of parents being lulled into a false sense of security - if a movie is based on a favourite book from childhood, surely it’s going to be good for kids? All kids? Alas, movie-makers have an ability to darken any story … Thanks for listening, and please do with anybody who might interested. Plus, as always, we would be delighted if you would One more thing: Children and Media Australia is participating in a community lottery. All proceeds from tickets sold in our name go to us, and there are some amazing prizes. If you want to be in it, have your debit card ready and click here. Thanks in advance. **High Court challenge docs**: *Digital Freedom Project v Commonwealth* https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/cases/current/case-no-s1632025; *Reddit v Commonwealth* https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/cases/current/case-no-s1662025 **Review links**: *The Magic Faraway Tree* review: https://childrenandmedia.org.au/movie-reviews/movies/magic-faraway-tree-the; availability in Australia: https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/the-magic-faraway-tree/ **Find us on**: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Substack Apple Podcasts Spotify OR search your favourite listening platform (let us know if it’s not there! – outsidethescreenpod\[at]gmail.com) Children and Media Australia (CMA) You can find the Children and Media Australia Know Before You Go service via this link. Then, depending what you’re looking for, you can sort the list or search by title alphabetically, by age suitability, by classification or by date added. All of the reviews are prepared by people with training in child development, and they cover every G and PG title released in Australian cinemas since 2002, as well as selected M-rated movies and some pre-2002 ones that are available on streaming services. Or at this link, you can access Know Before You Load – reviews of game style apps and apps that may appeal to young children. These cover some extra things that are relevant to games, like data collection and gambling-like content. You might also like to sign up for our KBYG Weekly newsletter about the latest reviews, and join the CMA Facebook community. Heads Up Alliance A growing community of Australian families delaying social media and smartphones for their children www.linktr.ee/theheadsupalliance www.change.org/lessscreensmorelearning Get full access to Outside the Screen Podcast at outsidethescreen.substack.com/subscribe