Reddit has launched a legal fight against Australia’s strict new social media ban, arguing the law violates political freedom and creates more risks for young people than it solves. The company applied to the High Court of Australia to either strike down the law or exempt Reddit from its reach.
The ban, which officially began on Wednesday, targets 10 major platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X. These companies must now take “reasonable steps” to block users under 16, using methods such as facial recognition or ID verification. While most platforms agreed to comply, Reddit is pushing back.
In its court filing, Reddit argues the ban is invalid because it infringes on the “implied freedom of political communication.” The company says that locking teenagers out of these discussions isolates them from age-appropriate community experiences. Reddit pointed out that the political views of young people often influence voters, including parents and teachers, and cutting off this communication hurts the democratic process.
Reddit also insists it shouldn’t be lumped in with standard social networks. The filing notes that Reddit functions differently from sites like Facebook or Instagram. It doesn’t use contact lists or address books, and it doesn’t focus on “friending” people. Instead, it operates as a forum for adults to share knowledge and discuss interests.
Perhaps most notably, Reddit argues the law is counterproductive for safety. Currently, anyone can view Reddit content without an account. However, having an account allows users to enable safety settings that filter out harmful material. By banning accounts for under-16s, the law forces teens to browse anonymously without those protective filters.
Reddit clarified that this challenge isn’t about profit or about hoarding young users. Instead, the company stated that “blanket bans” are the wrong approach and that privacy-preserving measures would protect Australian teens better than a total blockade.
