“Social media allowed me to find my voice.” Queer activist Shaneel Lal reacts to Australian government’s ban on social media for under-16s

Queer activist Shaneel Lal from New Zealand has reacted to the Australian government banning social media for under-16s, saying it will remove connections for those in marginalised communities and prevent them from learning about the world.

The comments from Lal follow Australia introducing a ban on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat this week.

Lal, who was 14 when they started using social media, said it helped to inform them about the world and create change, through advocating to ban conversion therapy.

“It certainly helped me form my view of politicians and politics, and I think that young people should have as many resources available to them to not only be informed but also to hold the government accountable further.”

They said it was also a place where young people – particularly those who were queer and indigenous – could find their community.

“I grew up in a very conservative community that did not encourage young people, particularly young brown queer immigrants to have a voice. Social media allowed me to find my voice.

“I think about the movement to ban conversion therapy, it only really took off because there was so much support amongst young New Zealanders who rallied around it.”