Wire reporting: (AP, via ClickOrlando), (Reuters, via CNA)

Australia's High Court on Tuesday opened two days of hearings on constitutional challenges to the country's ban on social media accounts for people under 16, brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project^1,3,4.

The ban took effect Dec. 10, 2025, and requires 10 named platforms — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, X, Kick, Threads and Twitch — to take reasonable steps so under-16s cannot hold accounts^1,4. Platforms face fines of up to A$49.5 million in one account of the law and up to A$99 million in others; BBC reported no company has been fined, while CNA, carrying Reuters, said the government later doubled the maximum fine and is preparing enforcement action^1,8,4.

Digital Freedom Project, led by New South Wales parliamentarian John Ruddick, argues the law restricts an implied constitutional freedom of political communication^1,3,4. In written submissions quoted by Al Jazeera, the group said social media is "an important means of accessing news and engaging in political communication" for young Australians, including those under 16³.

Reddit's separate challenge, heard jointly, argues the policy raises privacy and political-rights issues and that Reddit should not sit in the same category as other banned platforms^1,4. Al Jazeera reported Reddit's written filing said "the evidence so far is that the effectiveness of the ban has been limited" and that there is no scientific consensus on social media harms³. CNA, carrying Reuters, said Reddit counsel Perry Herzfeld told the court the law was ill thought out because it does not mandate specific age-gating measures and leaves other services, including gaming sites, outside the ban⁸.

The government has said the restrictions are meant to protect children from harmful content and online predators^1,3. Communications Minister Anika Wells, named as a defendant, said last year the government would not be "intimidated by big tech"¹. WhatsApp, Roblox, Discord and educational products such as YouTube Kids were not included¹.

BBC reported that original teen plaintiffs Noah Jones and Macy Neyland withdrew; AP copy said they were removed over possible liability for legal costs if the case failed^1,4. Jones, now 16, was still expected at court¹. eSafety has opened investigations into alleged non-compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube¹. BBC said some users reported easy workarounds of age checks; studies cited across outlets found many under-16s still using restricted platforms^1,3,4,8.

The two-day hearing is scheduled to end Wednesday⁴. Al Jazeera said it was unclear how long the court would take to rule³.