Tech Desk 
Dec 12, 2025
Reddit has stepped up a legal challenge against Australia’s new nationwide social media ban for children under 16, calling the law a threat to free expression and political discourse.
The San Francisco-based platform filed its petition in the High Court of Australia, seeking to overturn the legislation just days after it came into effect.
Reddit vs Australian government
Australia became the first country in the world on December 10 to enforce a mandatory minimum age for social media use. Under the new rules, platforms have to block users under 16 or else face penalties of up to A$49.5 million.
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit had all opposed the measure during a year-long consultation, but the regulator said they all agreed to comply.
In this filing, Reddit argues the policy infringes the constitutionally implied freedom of political communication and warns the law “raises serious privacy and political expression concerns” for users of all ages.
The company also argues that it does not meet the definition of a social media service under the new legislation and should therefore be exempt.
The Australian government slammed the suit as "Big Tech trying to put profits over kids' safety." Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells declared that the government "stands with Australian parents and kids," as Health Minister Mark Butler compared Reddit's actions to previous litigation by the tobacco industry against health regulation.
That's the second legal challenge to the ban after an earlier case filed by two teenagers backed by a libertarian group.
