Legal challenge to Australia’s teen social media ban
Australia’s world-first teen social media ban was deemed “ill thought out” and a “profound restriction on political debate,” as argued by a lawyer for messaging platform Reddit during a legal challenge in the country’s top court, reports BritPanorama.
Reddit, along with a libertarian advocacy group, has taken its case to the High Court to contest the Australian law that prohibits large social media platforms from allowing individuals under the age of 16 to create accounts. This legislation, which took effect in late 2025, garnered support from parents but faced opposition from technology firms.
A successful challenge could lead to increased resistance from affected companies and hinder the global adoption of similar policies, as legislators in various countries, including Britain and Malaysia, implement measures aimed at safeguarding youth mental and physical health.
The Australian government, with its communications minister as a named defendant, has committed to defending the law.
Perry Herzfeld, representing Reddit, argued that prohibiting individuals under 16 from holding social media accounts limits their ability to engage with content on what he described as a vital means of communication in today’s world.
“That is a very profound restriction on political debate in Australia,” Herzfeld stated, emphasizing the significant limitations it places on young people’s activities.
While Reddit acknowledges the Australian government’s aim to minimize harm, Herzfeld criticized the law as “inept,” highlighting its failure to implement specific measures to keep minors off social media platforms and its neglect of other online venues where cyberbullying occurs, such as gaming websites.
He noted that while social media interactions typically require logged-in accounts, many materials remain accessible to non-account holders.
“If the Commonwealth is worried about particular features of social media, it should regulate those features, which it has not done,” he added.
Since the ban was enacted, several studies, including one from the eSafety Commissioner, have shown that most teenagers under the age limit still find ways to use social media.
The government has since responded by increasing the maximum fine for non-compliance to 99 million Australian dollars ($69.5 million) and has granted the eSafety Commissioner enhanced discovery powers, while preparing to file enforcement lawsuits against major platforms.
