Reddit filed a legal appeal in Australia arguing that the country’s historic social-media ban for under-16s violates political communication and threatens online privacy.
Reddit has filed a legal appeal to overturn Australia’s groundbreaking ban that blocks children under 16 from accessing major online platforms.
The move comes just days after the law took effect, positioning the country as the first in the world to enact such sweeping restrictions on social media use among minors.
Under the new legislation, children and teenagers are barred from accessing a range of widely used platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X.
Technology companies that fail to comply face penalties of up to 33 million U.S. dollars. Reddit’s court filing argues that the regulation violates the nation’s implied freedom of political communication and should therefore be reviewed by the High Court of Australia.
The platform further contends that it should not be included on the government’s list of prohibited sites. According to the company, Reddit functions primarily as an adult-oriented online forum, emphasizing debate and community-driven discussion rather than targeted engagement with younger audiences.
“Unlike other platforms included in this law, the vast majority of Reddit users are adults. We do not market to, nor do we target advertising at, individuals under 18,” the company said in a statement.
A Reddit spokesperson also warned that mandatory age-verification requirements pose significant privacy risks. Collecting sensitive personal data, they argued, increases the likelihood of security breaches or hacking attempts—an outcome they say could endanger users instead of protecting them.
Reddit criticized the law for “missing the mark on protecting young people online,” adding that while the company intends to comply, it has a responsibility to seek judicial review.
The platform had previously signaled its concerns ahead of the December 10 enforcement date, calling the government’s approach “legally flawed.”
The company is not alone in its opposition. Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, also raised concerns that the prohibition could drive teenagers toward less regulated and potentially more dangerous corners of the internet as they attempt to stay connected with peers.
Critics argue that the law may inadvertently push young users away from established platforms and toward riskier digital environments.
In response, an Australian government spokesperson said authorities stand with “Australian parents and children, not with the platforms.” Separately, a digital-rights advocacy group filed its own challenge last month, calling the legislation an “unfair” assault on freedom of expression.
The case now adds fuel to a growing global debate over youth safety, online regulation, and the balance between technological innovation and personal rights within the evolving ecosystem of science, policy and digital culture
