Reddit is challenging Australias inept social media ban for under-16s

Date:
Tue, 03 Nov 2026 12:53:47 +0000

Description:
Reddit is challenging Australias social media ban and trying to overturn it
in court.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Reddit wants to overturn Australias social media ban for under-16s It is challenging the law in the Australian High Court Government says its defending the law from "sustained ideological attack" In late 2025, Australia became the first nation in the world to ban social media for under-16s and as you would expect, that hasnt gone down particularly well with the app makers affected. Reddit, for
example, has issued a stinging rebuke to the Australian government and is in the process of challenging the ban in court.

A lawyer representing Reddit called the ban ill thought out (via Reuters )
and said it was a profound restriction on political debate. The attorney was speaking at the Australian High Court, where Reddit is seeking to contest the countrys new law. Together with a libertarian advocacy group, Reddit claimed in court that the social media ban was a very substantial restriction on what young people can now do and that it could stifle political debate. It added that the restrictions may stop users creating content and responding to
posts. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

Although Reddit said it supported the aims of the law, it branded the legislation inept, saying that it did not have any specific means to keep minors off social media and failed to regulate other platforms where cyberbullying might take place, such as on gaming websites. And the fact that users who were not logged in could still view huge amounts of material undermined the law, Reddit argued. Could Reddit overturn the ban? (Image credit: Getty Images / Anna Barclay) Since the Australian law came into effect, several studies have shown that large numbers of teenage users targeted by it are still able to access restricted material . Sometimes, that might be as simple as using a VPN service to disguise your location, while at other times, social media firms are simply not taking action to restrict
usage by under-16s. You may like Ofcom explains how it wants social media platforms to keep out under-16s Greece passes under-15 social media ban, and every user may soon have to prove their age France blocks under-15 social media ban over freedom of expression fears

Despite Reddits criticism, the Australian government has said it will defend its legislation. In court, the states lawyer, Joanna Davidson, said that children were more vulnerable to harmful online content because their brains were not fully developed compared to those of adults.

And speaking outside the High Court, communications minister Anika Wells
said: We are here to defend a fundamental tenet of Australian democracy,
which is an Australians right, and particularly an Australian childs right,
to be free from harm. We seek to defend that from sustained ideological attack. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The government has doubled the maximum fine for non-compliance with the law
to AU$99 million (about $69.5 million / 51.5 million), increased the
discovery powers of the eSafety Commissioner, and said it is preparing enforcement action against some of the largest social media platforms operating in Australia.

Whatever side you take on this matter, its clear that neither the Australian government nor Reddit are preparing to back down anytime soon. And with other nations considering similar laws , many people around the world will be watching closely. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/social-media/reddit-attacks-australias-ine pt-social-media-ban-as-the-government-says-its-pushing-back-against-sustained- ideological-attack


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