Reddit challenges Australian social media ban for under 16s in court

Reddit has launched a legal challenge in the Australian High Court against the national government over its law banning social media for children under the age of 16. The Guardian and Reuters both reported that court proceedings began on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Lawyers representing the social media company told the court that the Australian government rushed to pass the law in 2024. [1][2][3]

Legal counsel for Reddit argued that the hasty legislative process resulted in ill thought out and over broad legislation, according to the Guardian. Reddit maintains that the law infringes upon the implied freedom of political communication for under 16s. Reuters and Internazionale noted that Reddit publicly described the Australian restrictions as inept as the court challenge commenced. [1][2][3]

The Guardian reported that the scope of the original law was narrowed after Reddit initiated its lawsuit against the government. Reddit ranks as one of the top ten websites visited globally, the Guardian noted. [1]

Reddit completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2024 at a valuation of 6.4 billion dollars. The online platform reported annual revenue of 2.2 billion dollars in 2025 and reached 121.4 million daily active unique users by the fourth quarter of that year. [8]