Social media platform Reddit has initiated a legal challenge against new legislation in Australia that prohibits users under the age of 16 from creating accounts on ten major social media platforms. This law, which came into effect on March 15, 2024, includes popular services such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
In a filing with the High Court, Reddit contended that the ban infringes on rights to free political speech and raises concerns about privacy. The company emphasized its commitment to online youth safety, asserting that the legal action does not aim to evade compliance with the law. “We believe there are more effective ways for the Australian government to accomplish our shared goal of protecting youth,” Reddit stated in a post on its platform.
Reddit criticized the law for potentially enforcing “intrusive and potentially insecure verification processes” on both adults and minors. The company expressed concern that the regulation would disconnect teenagers from engaging in age-appropriate community experiences and create an “illogical patchwork” regarding which platforms are included under the new rules.
Reddit further clarified that the application of the law to its platform was misguided. “Unlike other platforms included under this law, the vast majority of Redditors are adults. We don’t market or target advertising to children under 18,” the company noted, highlighting its previous age rating of ’17+’ in the Apple App Store.
Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler responded by accusing Reddit of prioritizing profit over safety. “When our governments take strong action to protect citizens against highly addictive and damaging products, they are often challenged in the courts by the companies that profit from them,” Butler remarked. He dismissed Reddit’s claims as a “complete crock” and asserted that the government would vigorously defend the law.
Butler compared the situation to past legal battles fought by the tobacco industry against health regulations. He stressed that other countries are observing Australia’s pioneering move to implement such a ban, with hopes that its success could inspire similar actions globally.
The legislation, which received support from almost all major political parties in parliament, aims to shield young people from risks like cyberbullying, excessive consumption, and exposure to distressing content. Companies affected by the new regulations were given a year to implement age verification measures, with violations potentially leading to fines of up to $49.5 million AUD (approximately $33 million USD).
Despite the law’s implementation, numerous teenagers reported that their accounts remained active, or that they had found ways to bypass the restrictions on the first day of enforcement. As the situation evolves, the legal and social implications of this ban are likely to remain a focal point in discussions about youth safety online and the responsibilities of social media companies.
