Reddit challenges Australia’s world‑first under‑16 social media ban

Reddit has filed a High Court challenge against Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA) law , which bans children under 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms. The law, effective this week, applies to Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, and Kick. Platforms failing to comply could face fines of up to 49.5 million AUD (about USD 33 million).

While Reddit is included on the government’s official list of age-restricted platforms, the company says it will comply by implementing age verification and suspending accounts of under-16 users in Australia. Reddit argues the law is unconstitutional , claiming it infringes on Australians’ implied freedom of political communication, forces intrusive verification processes, and isolates teens from online communities.

Reddit points out that the law applies inconsistently, targeting some platforms while exempting others, and that under-16 users are not a significant portion of its audience. Australia represents a small share of Reddit’s global user base, so any impact on revenue is expected to be minimal. The company emphasised that the challenge is driven more by legal, privacy, and policy concerns than financial harm.

The SMMA law, enforced by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant , requires platforms to take “reasonable steps” to identify and remove accounts of Australian children under 16. Notices were sent to the 10 major platforms on Thursday, and eSafety will continue monitoring compliance through six-monthly notices.

A preliminary High Court hearing is scheduled for late February to set the dates for full proceedings. Reddit’s case may be heard alongside a separate challenge by the Digital Freedom Project, representing two Australian teens.

The age verification process often relies on users entering their date of birth, but this method is not reliable, as underage users can easily enter a false age . Some platforms may require government-issued ID or parental consent, but these steps raise privacy, security, and operational concerns.

Reddit will comply with the SMMA law while challenging it in the High Court, seeking to have the law overturned or be removed from the age-restricted list. The preliminary hearing in late February could set a key precedent for social media age regulations in Australia and beyond.