Reddit calls Australia's under-16 social media ban 'poorly designed, ineffective' in court challenge

US social media platform Reddit criticized Australia's ban on social media accounts for children under 16 as "poorly designed and ineffective" Tuesday, arguing before the country's High Court that the restrictions limit young people's participation in political discussions.

The arguments came as the court began a two-day hearing into constitutional challenges brought by Reddit and advocacy group Digital Freedom Project.

Reddit's lawyers argued that the legislation, rushed through parliament in 2024, imposed sweeping restrictions on political communication, Australian broadcaster ABC News reported.

The company said teenagers could still view online content but were barred from posting, commenting or participating in discussions without registered accounts.

Reddit also challenged its classification as an age-restricted social media platform under the law.

The government defended the measures as necessary to protect children from harmful content and potentially addictive features of social media.

Introduced in December 2025, the ban requires 10 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Reddit, to prevent children under 16 from maintaining accounts.

Nearly 5 million accounts have since been blocked or deactivated, according to ABC News.

The legal challenges center on whether the restrictions violate Australia's constitutionally implied freedom of political communication.