The case arose nearly 11 months after the government mandated that 10 major platforms deactivate accounts belonging to minors, a move that prompted more than 5 million suspensions across networks like Instagram and TikTok. Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project claim this barrier improperly restricts the implied constitutional freedom of political communication by silencing youth discourse. Meanwhile, state attorneys maintain that protecting children from targeted platform features is a valid objective. Proceedings also involve procedural hurdles after two teenage plaintiffs were removed due to concerns over court costs.
Key points
The High Court must determine whether restricting social networks for minors violates Aus…: The High Court must determine whether restricting social networks for minors violates Australia's implied freedom of political communication.
Platforms argue that blanket bans prevent young citizens from participating in democratic…: Platforms argue that blanket bans prevent young citizens from participating in democratic discourse and connecting with political youth wings.
The lawsuit faces immediate procedural scrutiny regarding whether an advocacy group led b…: The lawsuit faces immediate procedural scrutiny regarding whether an advocacy group led by a state politician holds valid legal standing.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Australia’s world-leading under-16s social media ban will face its first major legal challenge on Tuesday, as Reddit and an advocacy group headed by a libertarian politician seek to overturn the law in the high court.
Nearly 11 months ago, 10 platforms – Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Kick, X, Twitch and Threads – were required to deactivate or suspend the accounts of users they determined to be aged under 16 years.
Since then, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said more than 5m accounts across the 10 services have been suspended as part of the ban.
Whether the ban will stay will be the subject of the high court hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project – led by New South Wales state Libertarian MP John Ruddick – seek to overturn the ban.
Australia does not have a guaranteed right to freedom of speech, and the case largely focuses on whether preventing under-16s from holding a social media account impermissibly burdens the implied freedom of political communication in Australian law.
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