Censored at 16: Implications, Intent, & Integrity in Lawmaking

Censored at 16: Implications, Intent & Integrity in Lawmaking

Australia’s new Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 — or “U16 legislation” — introduces a world-first rule restricting social-media accounts to users aged 16 and over.

While the intent is to protect young people online, questions remain about how the law was introduced, whether due process was followed, and what the longer-term social and ethical implications may be.

This event brings together two voices offering complementary lenses on the issue — one technical and philosophical, the other political and procedural — to help Australians better understand both what this law means and how it came to be.

Discussion Themes

• How the U16 law was made — was due parliamentary process followed, and what does this mean for democracy?

• Beyond compliance — exploring the philosophical and societal undercurrents of digital identity, age assurance and privacy.

• Where rights intersect — protecting children without eroding freedom, privacy or parental agency.

• What comes next — what citizens, parents, educators and platforms should be watching as implementation begins.

Speaker Highlights

Paul G. Conlon

Engineer | Author | Digital Rights & Decentralised Identity Advocate
Paul G. Conlon is the author of Citizen One and a senior engineer turned researcher whose work probes the deep intersection of identity systems, regulation and human freedom. His grandmother’s childhood in 1930s Germany — when state-controlled identity systems contributed to catastrophic human-rights abuses — fuels his lifelong commitment to defending privacy and autonomy.
In relation to the U16 legislation, Paul will unpack the esoteric and ethical dimensions — how age-verification and identity capture could redefine childhood, digital agency and family rights. His perspective blends technical literacy with a moral lens, offering rare insight into why these laws matter beyond their text.

Michael Arbon

Policy Advisor | Educator | Legislative-Process Specialist
Michael Arbon serves as a policy advisor to Senator Ralph Babet and brings direct experience inside Australia’s parliamentary process. He examines how legislation moves from policy proposal to enacted law — and what happens when it doesn’t follow proper scrutiny or consultation.
In this event, Michael will focus on the law-making pathway of the U16 bill: how it was introduced, debated and funded prior to full assent, and what that reveals about Australia’s democratic process today. His expertise bridges politics, ethics and civic accountability — a vital counterpoint to the more philosophical dimension of Paul’s analysis.

Who Should Attend

• Parents, educators and youth-workers concerned about online safety

• Policy makers, journalists and civic advocates

• Technologists, lawyers and students of ethics, governance or digital rights

• Anyone curious about how laws are made — and what happens when they aren’t

What You’ll Gain

• A clear understanding of the U16 legislation and its likely real-world effects

• Insight into Australia’s legislative process and where it can break down

• Tools for more informed advocacy and civic engagement

• A thought-provoking discussion about the balance between safety, freedom and accountability

Reserve Your Seat

Join us for this essential conversation on how Australia legislates in the name of protection — and why true safety demands transparency, consent and accountability. Places are limited.

Speaker Bios

Paul Conlon 

Paul G. Conlon is a Queensland-based author, professional engineer, and product manager passionate about educating others on individual liberty, privacy, and the dangers of centralised power. Inspired by his family's survival of Nazi Germany’s identification policies, he brings a unique historical perspective to the urgent challenges posed by centralised digital identity systems today. 

With degrees in Electronic Engineering and Information Technology and over two decades of global experience—including service as an Engineering Officer in the Australian Army—Paul combines technical expertise with practical insight. In 2023, he served as a judge for the global ‘hack:DiD’ software competition promoting self-sovereign identity education. In 2024, he published his first non-fiction book, Citizen One: The Case Against Digital Identity. 

Known for his clear communication style, Paul distils complex systems into accessible ideas. He participates in international panel discussions and speaks to live audiences on topics ranging from technology and privacy to peaceful parenting. 

Michael Arbon 

Michael is a husband and father of three, living with his family in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. A natural leader and lover of truth, he’s passionate about both economic and cultural issues. 

Raised on his family farm, Michael has run his own finance business for the past 11 years. He is a former Senate candidate and also works as a political advisor in the Federal Parliament. 

Michael is a social media commentator, public speaker, regular podcast and media guest, and a contributor to print publications. He continues to hold leadership roles across both finance and politics.