How the law can better protect young people in rapidly evolving online landscapes, including social media restrictions which are now in place, will be explored at an event next month.
Protecting Young People Online and the Law, a Continuing Professional Development in the City event hosted by The University of Western Australia’s Law School, will include a discussion on the minimum age requirements for social media use and the legal tools available to safeguard children from harmful algorithms.
The panel discussion includes Independent member for Curtin Kate Chaney, and Associate Professor Marilyn Bromberg and PhD student Noelle Martin from UWA’s Law School.
Ms Chaney graduated from UWA with a law degree and practised commercial law in Sydney before moving into strategic roles in business and non-profits and then politics.
Associate Professor Bromberg is Associate Deputy Head (Community and Engagement) at UWA Law School and a practising lawyer. Her research focuses on social media and the law, body image law and health law. She is the author of Body Image Law: Revolutionising Images of Thin-Ideal Women.
Ms Martin is one of the world’s leading advocates on deepfake abuse. She is a lawyer, survivor and award-winning activist. Her work has been recognised through the Young Western Australian of the Year and the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.
“The social media ban for under 16s was just one of several actions the Federal Government needed to take to make online landscapes safer, but many problems on social media remain,” Associate Professor Bromberg said.
“Social media companies also need to be more transparent about how their algorithms target young users.
“We also need to remember that there are also a lot of benefits of using social media – it can help with loneliness; it can help people connect with others.”
The event is on Tuesday 24 February 2026 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, level 11, 1 The Esplanade, Perth.
Lawyers can receive one Continuing Professional Development point for attending and non-lawyers are welcome and encouraged to attend. To purchase tickets click here.