Reddit Calls Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban “Flawed and Ineffective” in High Court Challenge
Canberra: US social media platform Reddit on Tuesday told Australia’s High Court that the country’s ban on social media accounts for under-16s is “flawed in design and ineffective,” arguing it restricts young people’s participation in political debate, ABC News reported.The court began a two-day hearing on constitutional challenges brought by Reddit and the advocacy group…
Canberra: US social media platform Reddit on Tuesday told Australia’s High Court that the country’s ban on social media accounts for under-16s is “flawed in design and ineffective,” arguing it restricts young people’s participation in political debate, ABC News reported.
The court began a two-day hearing on constitutional challenges brought by Reddit and the advocacy group Digital Freedom Project. Reddit’s lawyers argued that the legislation, hastily passed by Parliament in 2024, imposes sweeping restrictions on political communication.
The company said teenagers can still view content online, but without registered accounts they are barred from posting, commenting or joining discussions. Reddit also challenged its classification as an age-restricted social media platform under the law.
The government maintains the measures are necessary to protect children from harmful content and the potentially addictive features of social media.
Introduced in December 2025, the ban requires 10 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Reddit, to stop under-16s from holding accounts. According to ABC News, roughly 5 million accounts have since been blocked or deactivated.
The legal challenges centre on whether the ban breaches Australia’s constitutionally implied freedom of political communication. The hearing is due to conclude on Wednesday.
