Australia High Court hears under-16 social media ban challenge
Australia's High Court has begun hearing a challenge to the under-16 social media ban. Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project argue the law burdens political communication, while the government says it is justified by child protection.
IllustrationThe story so far
On 2 November 2026, Australia's High Court was to hear the first major challenge to the under-16 social media ban. Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project argued the law is unconstitutional because it burdens political communication. The law took effect in December last year and had blocked nearly 5 million accounts on 10 platforms. The government said the burden was modest and justified by child protection.
By 3 November 2026, the High Court had begun hearing challenges. Reddit said the 2024 law was rushed and over-broad, while the Digital Freedom Project said it limits teenagers' implied freedom of political communication. The ban had led to more than 5 million under-16 accounts being suspended or deactivated across 10 platforms.
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2 updates · newest first- 3 NovNew development
Australia High Court hears challenge to under-16s social media ban
Australia's High Court began hearing challenges to its world-first ban on under-16s social media accounts, brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project. Reddit argued the 2024 law was rushed and over-broad, while the group said it limits teenagers' implied freedom of political communication. The ban took effect last December and has led to more than 5 million under-16 accounts being suspended or deactivated across 10 platforms.
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ABC News ↗
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- 2 NovNew development
Australia High Court to hear challenge to under-16 social media ban
Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project are arguing Australia's under-16 social media ban is unconstitutional because it burdens political communication. The High Court will consider the first major challenge to the law, which took effect in December last year and has blocked nearly 5 million accounts on 10 platforms. The government says the burden is modest and justified by child protection.
ABC Australia ↗