Politics
Australia's under-16s social media ban faces High Court challenge
November 3, 2026 at 05:27 AM · Updated 6h ago
Coverage
3 reports · over 12 hours
AJAl Jazeera English
Australia’s High Court hears bid to overturn under-16s social media ban
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Australia rushed through ‘ill-thought-out’ under-16s social media ban, Reddit argues as high court challenge begins
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Legal challenge to Australia's social media ban to start in High Court
(opens the publisher’s site)Australia's High Court has begun hearing constitutional challenges to the under-16s social media ban, filed by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project.
- Reddit's counsel told the High Court on Tuesday the 2024 ban was rushed "ill-thought-out, over-broad legislation," passed within a week with only 24 hours for submissions.
- Reddit argued the ban breaches under-16s' implied freedom of political communication by blocking them from posting and commenting.
- Since the ban took effect in December, platforms have suspended more than 5 million accounts they believe belong to under-16s.
- Communications minister Anika Wells said the government would not be "intimidated by big tech."
- Reddit's counsel also argued the ban's enforcement is limited, lacks scientific consensus on harms, and may push young users to unsafe platforms.
- John Ruddick of the Digital Freedom Project said the ban restricts teenagers' ability to engage in political discourse.
- The government defended the restrictions as protecting young users from graphic content and online predators.