Valuetainment “They Try To Silence You” - Rita Panahi RIPS Australia’s Social Media Ban For Teens
Mar 12, 2026
Rita Panahi, a conservative Australian commentator known for blunt political critique. She decries plans to bar under-16s from social media as government overreach. She attacks the role of the eSafety office and its leader, recounts legal fights over content removal, and warns about censorship and parental rights in short, fiery exchanges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Regulator Role Can Become Political Power
- Government tech regulators can shift from child protection to political activism and content control.
- Rita Panahi claims Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant uses the role to push anti-conservative positions and remove content globally.
Court Battle Over Bishop Stabbing Video
- Julie Inman Grant attempted broad takedowns, including a video of a bishop stabbed in an alleged Islamist attack.
- Elon Musk took the case to court and won, showing platform owners can sometimes resist regulator overreach.
Under 16 Ban Creates Perverse Access Outcomes
- Age-based social media bans can produce perverse outcomes where kids still access harmful content but lose mainstream platforms.
- Rita Panahi notes teens could still reach porn sites while being barred from YouTube, X, and Instagram.