Reddit blasts Australia's 'inept' social media ban as court challenge begins
RDDT•Reddit has challenged Australia's ban on social media accounts for under-16s in the High Court, arguing it restricts political debate and is poorly designed. The government has doubled the maximum non-compliance fine to A$99 million and says it is preparing an enforcement lawsuit against some major platforms.
1. Challenge to the ban
Reddit and a libertarian advocacy group have challenged Australia's law barring large social media platforms from allowing under-16s to hold accounts. In court, Reddit lawyer Perry Herzfeld called the law “ill thought out” and a “profound restriction on political debate.”
2. Reddit's arguments
Herzfeld said the law restricts young people's ability to create or respond to content, does not require specific measures to keep minors off platforms and does not cover other online services where cyberbullying occurs, such as gaming websites. Reddit supports the aim of minimising harm, he said, but argued the law fails to achieve it.
3. Enforcement measures
The law took effect in late 2025. Studies, including by Australia's eSafety Commissioner, have found that most teenagers under the age cutoff continue to use social media. The government has doubled the maximum fine for non-compliance to A$99 million, expanded the commissioner's discovery powers and said it is preparing an enforcement lawsuit against some of the biggest platforms.
