Australia's High Court Hears Challenge to Under-16 Social Media Ban

Australia's High Court began hearing a challenge on Tuesday to the country's world-first ban on social media accounts for under-16s, brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project. The law took effect December 10, 2025, and carries fines of up to A$99 million for non-compliance, though no company has been fined so far.

The challengers argue the ban violates an implied freedom of political communication in Australia's constitution, cutting teenagers off from a major forum for news, debate and expression. They have also criticized the law's implementation as impractical, pointing to age-verification difficulties.

The government is defending the law, arguing that it protects children from harms linked to social media, including addictive design, bullying and exposure to inappropriate content. Officials have framed the ban as a health and safety measure, not a restriction on speech.

Australia's experiment is being watched closely around the world, with regulators in Europe and the United States weighing their own age restrictions. A ruling against the law would force a rethink of the model; a ruling for it could embolden copycat legislation elsewhere.

The hearing is expected to run for several days, with a judgment likely weeks or months later. Until the court rules, the ban remains in force and platforms must continue to enforce it.