Wells\u2019 inclusion on the Time100 list of \u201cleaders who are shaping the future\u201d is the latest recognition of the Australian government\u2019s efforts to regulate big tech \u2013 but comes amid ongoing questions<\/a> about the effectiveness of the ban<\/a> and how it is being enforced<\/a> by social media companies and Australian regulators.<\/p>\n Wells was named alongside a testimonial written by the former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard, who praised the communications minister for having \u201cchampioned world-leading reforms to protect young people from the harms of social media\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the world grapples with the extraordinary power of social media and the increasingly pervasive role it plays, Anika Wells has emerged as one of the most significant voices in a growing global movement to reframe the relationship between technology and the well-being of our children,\u201d Gillard wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cEven in the face of intense opposition from some of the world\u2019s largest tech companies, she remains steadfast \u2026 Future generations will look back on her landmark changes as courageous and trail-blazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Responding to her inclusion, Wells \u2013 who is also the minister for sport \u2013 told Guardian Australia: \u201cIn Brisbane we know premierships are won by the whole team, not one player.\u201d<\/p>\n Wells is now working on a world-leading digital duty of care<\/a> framework, as part of broader online safety reforms. The changes would allow social media account holders to opt out of the algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users\u2019 feeds, which is also generating backlash<\/a> from big tech companies and political opponents.<\/p>\n Sarah Henderson, the shadow communications minister, said in a statement: \u201cAustralians don\u2019t judge ministers by glossy magazine lists, they judge them by their actions.\u201d She repeated criticisms of the social media ban, which she claimed had \u201cfailed\u201d, as well as \u201cdraconian powers to control what Australians say and see online\u201d.<\/p>\n
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