US-based internet forum Reddit has filed a High Court challenge against Austraila's recent social media ban for users under 16, citing "serious privacy and political expression issues for everyone on the internet," a company spokesperson said.
In court filings lodged on Dec. 12, Reddit argues the ban infringes the country's implied freedom of political communication, restricting children from engaging in online political discourse—a factor that, the company contends, informs the views of parents, teachers, and future voters.
The ban, which came into effect Dec. 10, applies to 10 platforms including Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, X, Twitch, and YouTube. Platforms that fail to implement measures to keep underage users off their sites face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Reddit also argues it should not be classified as an age-restricted social media platform because it does not allow users to interact socially in the same manner as other platforms.
Represented by barristers Perry Herzfeld and Jackson Wherett, along with law firm Thomson Geer, Reddit maintains that the law forces intrusive verification processes on both minors and adults, isolates teens from age-appropriate online communities—including political discussions—and creates inconsistent regulation across platforms.
The company emphasised that the challenge is not an opposition to child safety measures, but a call for more targeted, privacy-preserving approaches.