Key facts
- Reddit argued the under-16 restrictions are "ill-thought out and overbroad" in its High Court challenge.
- Several justices suggested the burden on political communication is not substantial and harms to children are not trivial.
- Communications Minister Anika Wells noted the law has been copied in Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE, the UK and Turkey.
- Similar laws are before parliaments in France, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Greece, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada, Slovakia, Italy, the EU and several US states.
Reddit told Australia's High Court on October 27, 2026 that the country's restrictions on social media accounts for children under 16 are "ill-thought out and overbroad" and breach the Constitution. The submission came on the first of two days of hearings in Canberra.
Several justices indicated Reddit faces a difficult argument. They suggested the burden on political communication is not substantial, that children can influence public debate in other ways, and that possible harms of social media are not trivial.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has noted the law is now widely copied, citing Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE, the UK and Turkey. Similar legislation is before parliaments in France, Austria, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Greece, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada, Slovakia, Italy, the EU and several US states.