Reddit challenges Australia’s under-16 social media ban in high court

Reddit has filed a legal challenge with Australia’s High Court seeking to overturn the country’s newly implemented ban on social media access for users under 16, arguing that the measure infringes on free political expression and raises significant privacy concerns.

The case makes Reddit the second party to contest what is considered the world’s first legally enforced minimum age requirement for social media platforms.

Platform says law restricts political communication

In a filing signed by its lawyers, Perry Herzfeld and Jackson Wherrett, the US-listed company said the law is “invalid on the ground that it infringes the implied freedom of political communication.”

The application argues that barring under-16 users burdens political discourse, noting that those young citizens will soon become voters whose political views are shaped by conversations they engage in well before turning 18.

“Australian citizens under the age of 16 will, within years if not months, become electors,” Reddit said in its 12-page filing.

“The choices to be made by those citizens will be informed by political communication in which they engage prior to the age of 18.”

Reddit further warned that the ban limits political discussions not only for younger users but also for adults who rely on understanding the perspectives of emerging voters, including teachers and parents.

Australia enforces ban as platforms raise concerns

Australia’s ban took effect on December 10 and applies to 10 major platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, X, and Reddit.

The law requires companies to take “reasonable steps” to prevent underage users from accessing their services, using verification tools such as facial age estimation, inference from online behavior, uploaded IDs, or linked financial information.

Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to A$49.5 million (US$32.98 million).

While Reddit and other platforms campaigned for more than a year against the measure, all ultimately agreed to comply.

The Australian government has said it is prepared to fight legal challenges to the law, and Communications Minister Anika Wells reiterated that stance, saying the government would “stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media.”

A previous challenge was filed last month by two teenagers backed by a libertarian state lawmaker.

That case is scheduled for a February hearing. A Reuters report, citing a person familiar with Reddit’s position, states that the company has no plans to join other challengers.

Reddit argues platform differs from traditional social networks

Reddit’s application also argues that it should be exempt from the law’s provisions, saying it operates as a community discussion forum rather than a traditional social network.

The company noted that it does not import contact lists or encourage friend-based connections and that much of its content is publicly accessible without an account.

The filing adds that underage users may actually be safer with accounts because they can be protected through moderation tools and content filters—settings unavailable if they are barred altogether.

The platform emphasized that its challenge is not an attempt to preserve young users for commercial reasons.

“There are more targeted, privacy-preserving measures to protect young people online without resorting to blanket bans,” Reddit said in a statement accompanying its court filing.

The High Court challenge adds new pressure to Australia’s efforts to regulate online safety, setting the stage for a broader debate over the balance between child protection, privacy, and political expression.