Australian government tells the country's High Court its under-16 social media ban is a 'modest' step to protect children's brains

Platforms including Reddit challenged the Australian teenage social media ban in the High Court, where government lawyers argued young brains are uniquely vulnerable to addictive design.

Reddit is challenging Australia's under-16 social media ban at the High Court, arguing the law is "ill-thought-out" and "over-broad" after being rushed through parliament in 2024. Government barrister Stephen Lloyd SC pushed back, insisting the ban targets addictive algorithmic features causing proven harm to teenagers, not political speech.

Platforms covered include TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Facebook, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and Threads.

Reddit argues the ban unconstitutionally restricts under-16s' implied freedom of political communication.

Platforms could escape the ban entirely by stripping out algorithms for younger users, the court heard.

The IndependentAustralia argues in court that social media ban is needed to protect children's brains ReutersAustralia social media teen ban a 'modest' step, says government in top court challenge PoliticoSocial media for kids could go algorithm-free to avoid ban, High Court hears Digital Watch ObservatoryAustralia’s High Court hears challenge to under-16 social media law - Digital Watch Observatory The GuardianAustralia’s social media ban has only modest effect on teens’ political communication, government tells court

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