Reddit has taken the Australian government to the High Court to try to overturn the new law that bars under-16s from social media. The company says the law breaks the constitution because it interferes with free political speech. Reddit also argues that it should not be covered by the law because, by the law’s definition, it is not a social media site.
The ban took effect on December 10 and is the first of its kind in the world. Ten platforms must block users under 16 or face fines up to A$49.5 million. Companies are using different methods to check ages, including estimating age from activity and asking for selfies.
Reddit warned the law raises serious concerns about privacy and political speech for young users. “Australian citizens under the age of 16 will, within years if not months, become electors. The choices to be made by those citizens will be informed by political communication in which they engage prior to the age of 18,”
The federal government said Reddit’s move is about protecting profits rather than protecting children. “It is action we saw time and time again by Big Tobacco against tobacco control and we are seeing it now by some social media or big tech giants,” said Health Minister Mark Butler.
The legal challenge is likely to take time. Reddit has significant resources and a large user base in Australia, so the case could lead to a long court fight over how the law is applied and what limits the government may place on online platforms.
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