Reddit Takes On Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban In High Court Filing

Reddit has taken Australia’s world‑first ban on social media for under‑16s to the High Court, arguing the law infringes the nation’s implied freedom of political communication. The legislation, passed in late 2024 and enacted in December 2025, requires platforms like Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to block underage users or face fines of up to A$49.5 million. Reddit contends the law misclassifies its community‑based model and warns that mandatory age‑verification could compromise adult privacy. The case marks the first major test of Australia’s expanded online safety regime, with global implications for how democracies balance youth protection and digital freedom.