Australia’s High Court hears challenges to under-16 social media ban

Australia’s High Court began hearing two constitutional challenges to the country’s ban on social media accounts for children younger than 16, with the challengers arguing the law infringes political communication and privacy rights. The two-day hearing opened Tuesday, November 3, 2026, before the court’s seven judges. The first case was brought by the Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based rights group. It argues that the ban restricts an implied constitutional freedom of political communication. The second challenge was filed by Reddit, which says the law raises privacy and political-expression concerns and that the platform should not have been included among those covered. The law, which took effect in December 2025, requires 10 named platforms to prevent under-16s from holding accounts. The platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Kick, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch. The government says the measure is intended to protect children from online harm. Communications Minister Anika Wells defended the law as necessary to safeguard young people. Two teenagers initially joined the Digital Freedom Project case as plaintiffs but were later removed over...