Reddit has told Australia’s High Court that the government rushed through its under-16 social media ban in 2024, producing legislation the company describes as “ill-thought-out” and overly broad. The case began hearing oral arguments on Tuesday, with Reddit arguing that the ban limits teenagers’ implied freedom of political communication.

Reddit’s counsel, Perry Herzfeld SC, said a 2021 parliamentary inquiry into social media had not recommended a ban, and that the eSafety commissioner had warned it would be a “blunt force approach”. Reddit argued the 2024 legislation was introduced and passed within a week, with only 24 hours allowed for submissions.

The company launched its High Court challenge in late 2025 after eSafety said Reddit would be covered by the ban. Reddit disputes that it meets the law’s definition of a social media platform. In March, Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced rules setting out additional features relevant to that definition, including logged-in functions, recommendations and endless scrolling.

Herzfeld argued the law uses a broad account ban rather than addressing those features directly. He said under-16s can still view Reddit content without an account but cannot publish posts, comment or upvote. The government has said the ban is intended to address credible risks including mental health, sleep and eating disorder issues.

Justice Jacqueline Gleeson questioned how broadly teenagers engage in politics, saying the vast majority do not do so most of the time. Herzfeld responded that platforms can give young people a larger audience than speaking in public or being interviewed by the media.

Since the ban took effect in December last year, more than five million accounts across the 10 covered platforms have been suspended or deactivated. Those platforms are Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Kick, X, Twitch and Threads.

The Digital Freedom Project, led by NSW Libertarian MP John Ruddick, is also challenging the law this week. Ruddick appeared outside the court with the case’s original plaintiff, 16-year-old Noah Jones, his mother Renee, and One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts. The case is continuing.

Sources: The Guardian World.