‘Restricting creativity’: 6 News founder Leo Puglisi hits back at social media ban, vows teenager-run news channel will continue despite new laws

The founder of an Australian news channel staffed by teenage journalists has responded to new laws which will ban children under the age of 16 from social media. Leo Puglisi, 17, has run the online news service 6 News since beginning his media career at age 11. In five years the site had grown to now broadcast hourly bulletins and boasts almost 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, alongside hundreds of thousands of followers across other social media platforms. Responding to the legislation passing parliament on Friday, Mr Puglisi said the ban “seriously risks restricting creativity from our young people”. “As Australia’s only national streaming news channel run almost entirely by teenagers in high school, 6 News has been asked many times about what the government’s under-16s social media ban means for us,” he said. “Let’s be clear: 6 News is not going away.” The Melbourne-based news boss said his online site had been built up by the very age group the laws would seek to ban when implemented at the end of 2025. “Our team is made up of many young journalists – some still in high school, while others are preparing to enter university,” he said. “With the ban not coming into effect for at least 12 months, there’s serious potential for a lot to change. “But no matter what, we will still be here for you, bringing all ages trusted independent and impartial journalism.” The new laws come amid concern over the mental health impact of social media on young people. Under the legislation, social media companies will need to take steps to ensure under 16s cannot access their platforms, facing fines of up to $49.5 million for breaches. Parents or children who fail to comply will not face any penalties. The specifics of the age-verification process have yet to be confirmed, however Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has confirmed users will not have to hand over government issued ID to prove their age. A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in late 2025. Critics have argued the ban would not improve children’s mental health, instead isolating them from online communities and resources to get help. Prime Minster Anthony Albanese heralded the move as something that would encourage “better outcomes and less harm for young Australians”. “Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs,” he said. “I’ve met with parents who have lost and buried a child, it’s devastating. “We can’t, as a government, hear those messages from parents and say: ‘It’s too hard’. “We have a responsibility to act, my government has done that.”