Reddit Fights Teen Account Ban: Platforms contest Australia’s under-16 law; ruling may sway global curbs

In late 2025, Australia enacted a law prohibiting individuals under 16 from accessing social media. Australia's world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16 is "ill thought out" and imposes a "profound restriction on political debate", a lawyer representing Reddit told the country's top court during the first legal challenge to the legislation.Reddit and a libertarian advocacy group have approached the High court to challenge the law, which prohibits major social media platforms from allowing under-16s to hold accounts. The legislation came into force in late 2025, receiving backing from parents but facing opposition from technology companies.According to the news agency Reuters, a ruling against the law could encourage further legal challenges by affected platforms and potentially slow the adoption of similar restrictions worldwide. Countries including Britain and Malaysia are also pursuing measures aimed at safeguarding young people's mental and physical well-being.The Australian government and its communications minister, who has been named as a defendant, have said they will contest the challenge.Reddit argues ban restricts young people's voicesRepresenting Re...