Australia social media ban faces High Court test
The gist
Australia's High Court began two days of hearings on challenges to its under-16 social media ban by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project.
The world-first law's fate could shape how other countries regulate children online.
How it unfolded
- Dec 10, 2025Australia's nationwide ban on under-16s holding accounts on major social media platforms took effect, the first country to enforce such a ban.
- Dec 11, 2025Reddit launched a High Court challenge, arguing the ban has serious implications for privacy and political rights; two Australian teens were also awaiting a hearing.
- Dec 12, 2025Reddit filed suit arguing the law violates Australia's implied constitutional freedom of political communication and that it should not be classed as an "age-restricted social media platform" given its forum structure.