The two-day High Court hearings consolidate legal challenges brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project, which argue the under-16 restrictions impermissibly restrict political communication. The law requires designated platforms to block underage accounts or face massive financial penalties, though enforcement has already prompted multiple regulatory probes. While Meta quickly shuttered hundreds of thousands of profiles, young users have managed to circumvent verification tools, raising doubts about the policy's efficacy.
Key points
The High Court's ruling will establish whether banning young teens from social networks u…: The High Court's ruling will establish whether banning young teens from social networks unlawfully restricts their constitutional speech and political rights.
Significant age-verification loopholes remain an active issue after younger users easily…: Significant age-verification loopholes remain an active issue after younger users easily bypassed selfie, ID, and credit card checks.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has affirmed that the federal government will defend…: Communications Minister Anika Wells has affirmed that the federal government will defend the legislation despite opposition from major tech firms.
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- Published
Two days of hearings on a challenge to Australia's landmark social media ban for children will begin at the country's highest court on Tuesday.
In a major test of the world-leading policy, a digital rights group will argue that the ban for under-16s robs children of their right to free communication. A separate challenge launched by platform Reddit will be jointly heard.
Introduced last December, the ban is a key part of sweeping changes the Australian government has spearheaded in recent years on online safety.
Supporters say the ban protects children from harmful content but critics say it is too blunt an instrument and efforts should focus on improving online safety.
The constitutional challenge in Australia's High Court was filed by the Digital Freedom Project a few weeks before the ban started on 10 December last year. The group is lead by New South Wales parliamentarian John Ruddick.
Two teens who originally spearheaded the case, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, have since withdrawn as plaintiffs though Jones is still expected to attend Tuesday's hearing.
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