Reddit challenges Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age Act in High Court
The platform argues that the law unlawfully restricts political communication and seeks to avoid being designated as an age-restricted service.
Reddit has filed a constitutional challenge against Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age Act, marking the first major legal test of the country’s new restrictions on under-16s accessing social media. The application, lodged with the High Court of Australia on 12 December 2025, argues that the legislation places an unjustified burden on political communication and should be struck down.
At the core of Reddit’s case is the claim that prohibiting Australians under 16 from holding accounts on certain platforms blocks an important avenue for political expression. The company argues that young people frequently engage in online political discussions and contribute to public debates in ways that impact the broader electorate. It also highlights that users can access most Reddit content without an account, meaning the Act does little to protect minors while significantly limiting their ability to participate in public discourse.
Reddit is asking the Court to declare the law invalid and to prevent the Minister for Communications from designating Reddit as an age-restricted social media platform. As an alternative, the company argues that Reddit does not meet the statutory definition of such a service because its primary purpose is to host topic-based forums rather than facilitate social interaction between individuals.
The case also raises broader questions about whether the federal government can impose age-based bans on social media access. Reddit notes that this is the first law of its kind globally, and argues that the burden it places on political communication is disproportionate given the minimal protections it provides. The company states that children can still access nearly all content without an account, while losing the safeguards available through account-based settings.
