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Reddit brands the under-16 social media ban 'inept' as Australia's High Court hears a free-speech challenge to it

Noah Jones, a 16-year-old outside the scope of the ban, told reporters the law is "a stepping stone further and further to censorship" disguised as child safety.
Noah Jones, a 16-year-old outside the scope of the ban, told reporters the law is "a stepping stone further and further to censorship" disguised as child safety.

Australia's seven High Court judges are weighing two constitutional challenges to the world-first law banning under-16s from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube and seven other platforms, after Reddit branded the restrictions "ill-thought-out and overbroad" in written submissions. The two-day hearing opened Tuesday, with Reddit arguing the ban raises serious privacy and political expression concerns. Early signs suggest the judges are sceptical, with several questioning how significantly political communication is actually impeded.

Reddit told the court that children banned from registered accounts can still access harmful content without one, making them less safe.

Sydney teen Noah Jones, 16, who was removed as a plaintiff over costs fears, told reporters outside court the law was 'a stepping stone further and further to censorship.'

Australia's Communications Minister Anika Wells noted the law has already been copied by Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE and the UK, with similar bills before parliaments across Europe.

MoreThe IndependentAustralia's highest court hears challenges to social media ban for childrenYahoo News UKHigh Court hears bid to overturn Australia social media banBBC News - TechLegal challenge to Australia's social media ban to start in High CourtReutersReddit blasts 'inept' Australian social media ban as challenge airs in courtPoliticoReddit slams ‘ill-thought-out and overbroad’ social media age restrictionsNYT WorldAustralian Court Hears Challenge to Social Media BanseMissourianAustralia's highest court hears challenges to social media b... - seMissourianTraverse City Record-EagleAustralia's highest court hears challenges to social media ban for children - Traverse City Record-Eagle
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