Lizzie O’Shea is an Australian lawyer, author, and the founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch, which advocates for freedom, fairness, and fundamental rights in the digital age. She sits on the board of Blueprint for Free Speech, and in 2019 was named a Human Rights Hero by Access Now.
Interviewer: Jillian York
Jillian York: Hi, good morning, or rather, good evening for you.
Lizzie O’Shea: Hi Ji...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights legitimate concerns about the harms of social media on young people, particularly in terms of privacy, mental health, and exploitation by corporate platforms. O’Shea acknowledges these risks but argues that Australia’s blanket ban on social media for minors is a blunt instrument that fails to account for the nuanced ways youth use these platforms for connection, support, and empowerment. Her critique is rooted in a human rights framework, emphas...