Australia defends under-16 social-media law in High Court

Australia’s government has defended its under-16 social-media restrictions in the High Court against a challenge brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project. The law, in effect since 10 December 2025, requires covered platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent people under 16 from holding accounts. The eSafety Commissioner says companies can face penalties of up to A$109.2 million for systemic failures.

The challengers argue that restricting young people’s access to social networks burdens the constitution’s implied freedom of political communication. Government lawyers describe the measure as a modest, necessary response to documented risks to children. The court is being asked to decide whether the restriction is constitutionally proportionate, not whether every platform or age-assurance technique works equally well. A judgment is expected later and the justices have not indicated an outcome.

Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch, X and YouTube are among the services covered under current guidance. The government says the law does not punish children or parents and does not require universal identity checks, although platforms must assess age. The case will shape how far Australia can regulate young users while preserving political communication online.