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

Australia's High Court on Tuesday opened two days of hearings in Canberra on constitutional challenges to the country's ban on social media accounts for people under 16, brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project^1,2,4.

The law 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^1,2. ABC News said nearly 5 million accounts have been blocked on those services since then². WhatsApp, Roblox, Discord and products such as YouTube Kids were left out¹.

Digital Freedom Project, led by New South Wales parliamentarian John Ruddick, argues the statute burdens an implied constitutional freedom of political communication^1,2. Reddit's separate case, joined with that challenge into one special case, makes the same constitutional claim and also seeks a declaration that Reddit is not an age-restricted social media platform^2,4.

BBC reported that Reddit counsel Perry Herzfeld told the court the ban was ill thought out and limited children's access to a main channel of modern communication¹. CNA, carrying Reuters, said Herzfeld called the restriction on political debate profound and said the statute does not mandate specific age-gating tools or cover other services, including gaming sites⁵. Al Jazeera, using AFP and Reuters copy, said Reddit's written filing described the ban's effectiveness as limited so far and said there is no scientific consensus on social media harms³.

Communications Minister Anika Wells, speaking outside court, said the government was defending children's right to be free from harm¹. A government spokesperson told ABC News the ministry would stand firm to protect young Australians and would not comment further while the matter is before the courts². Commonwealth lawyers, according to ABC News, will argue that any burden on political communication is modest, that the implied freedom applies to electors, and that the rules can be adjusted over time².

BBC reported that original teen plaintiffs Noah Jones and Macy Neyland withdrew; AP copy carried by ClickOrlando said they were removed over possible liability for legal costs if the case failed^1,4. Jones, now 16, still attended¹. eSafety has opened investigations into alleged non-compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube¹. Outlets differ on the current maximum fine: BBC and CNA cite up to A$99 million, while AP copy cites up to A$49.5 million^1,4,5.

The hearing is scheduled to end Wednesday^2,4. Al Jazeera said it was unclear how long the court would take to rule³. ABC News reported that state and territory attorneys-general filed in support of the Commonwealth².