Reddit Challenges Australia’s Under-16s Social Media Ban in High Court

Reddit Challenges Australia’s Under-16s Social Media Ban in High Court
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Reddit has launched a legal challenge in Australia’s High Court against the country’s under-16s social media ban, arguing the law breaches the constitution’s implied freedom of political communication.

According to The Guardian, the challenge was filed two days after Reddit implemented age-assurance measures to comply with the legislation.

In a statement posted on its platform, Reddit said it supports protecting children online but warned the ban forces “intrusive and potentially insecure” age verification on adults and minors, while limiting young people’s access to age-appropriate online communities. The company also criticised what it described as an “illogical patchwork” of platforms covered by the law.

Reddit argues it is primarily a forum for adults focused on knowledge-sharing rather than traditional social networking, and questions whether it should be classified as an age-restricted social media platform under the legislation. The company stressed it is not seeking to avoid compliance.

Legal experts say the case raises serious constitutional questions, but note that most challenges based on implied freedom of political communication ultimately fail.