In brief
Reddit has taken the Australian government to the High Court, claiming the nation’s 2025 law banning accounts for those under 16 is poorly designed and hampers political participation. The platform, joined by a libertarian group, argues the ban does not effectively protect youth and could set a harmful global precedent. The government, led by its communications minister, will defend the law, which now carries maximum fines of 99 million Australian dollars for non‑compliance.
Reddit has filed a challenge against Australia’s first‑in‑the‑world law banning social‑media accounts for users under 16, arguing the measure is “ill‑thought out” and restrained political debate.
In a High Court hearing on 3 November 2026, lawyer Perry Herzfeld, representing the U.S. platform, argued that barring under‑16s from signing up on social media limits their ability to create or respond to content on what he called “the most important means of communication in the modern world.”
Pierce Herzfeld told the court that the ban was a “profound restriction on political debate in Australia” and that it “does not call for any specific measure to keep out minors and failed to restrict other online services where cyberbullying takes place, such as gaming websites.”
The current legislation, which went into effect in late 2025 after a campaign backed by parents, prohibited large platforms from allowing accounts for people under 16. Critics say the ban has not stopped teenagers from accessing social media, with studies from the eSafety Commissioner noting that most under‑cutoff teens continue to use the services.
Reddit admits it shares the Australian government’s harm‑minimisation goal but contends the law’s failure to address broader online harms undermines its effectiveness. The company’s lawsuit also warns that a successful challenge could encourage similar restrictions in other jurisdictions, as lawmakers in Britain, Malaysia and elsewhere outline similar bans.
The Australian government, represented by its communications minister, has pledged to defend the law. In the wake of the ban, the federal government doubled the maximum fine for non‑compliance to A$99 million and enhanced the eSafety Commissioner’s discovery powers, indicating a willingness to pursue enforcement action against major platforms.
Reddit’s legal team emphasized that the ban is an “inept” solution because it does not regulate specific harmful features of social media, leaving other online spaces unchecked. They maintain that the law’s intent to protect youth is undermined by the fact that users without accounts can still view content, meaning the measure fails to address the core issue of minors’ exposure to potentially harmful material.
The case adds a new dimension to the ongoing debate over digital child safety and state regulation. While Australia’s government stands firm on its policy, the outcome of the High Court challenge will determine whether the country’s approach serves as a model for future reforms worldwide.
