Reddit has initiated a legal challenge against Australia’s new law prohibiting individuals under the age of 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms. The law, which went into effect on March 15, 2024, impacts 10 major platforms, including Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube. The company argues that this regulation infringes on free political speech and raises significant privacy concerns.
In its filing with the High Court, Reddit expressed that while it takes youth safety seriously, the legal action is not an attempt to evade compliance. The platform stated, “That said, we believe there are more effective ways for the Australian government to accomplish our shared goal of protecting youth.” Reddit criticized the law for potentially imposing intrusive verification processes on both minors and adults, claiming it could isolate teenagers from engaging in age-appropriate community experiences.
Reddit’s Concerns and Government Response
Reddit further asserted that the law inaccurately categorizes its platform. “Unlike other platforms included under this law, the vast majority of Redditors are adults,” the company explained. It highlighted that it does not target advertising to users under 18 and maintained an age rating of “17+” in the Apple App Store prior to the legislation. The company suggested that there are targeted and privacy-preserving measures available to protect young people online without resorting to blanket bans.
Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler responded robustly to Reddit’s legal action, accusing the platform of prioritizing profit over safety. He noted, “Across our history, when our governments have taken strong action to protect citizens against highly addictive, highly damaging products, they’ve usually been challenged in the courts by the companies that profit most from them.” Butler dismissed the notion that Reddit’s actions were aimed at protecting the political freedoms of young users, labeling it a “complete crock.” He pledged that the government would “fight this action every step of the way.”
Butler emphasized that Australia is under global scrutiny as it becomes the first country to impose such a ban. He stated, “Other governments and communities around the world are watching Australia… If it is a success, I’m very confident they’ll follow suit and take the same sorts of actions to protect their young citizens.”
Objectives of the New Legislation
The legislation, which received support from nearly all major political parties in parliament, aims to safeguard young people from risks associated with social media, including cyberbullying, problematic content consumption, and distressing materials. Companies affected by the law were given a year to establish age verification measures, with violations resulting in fines of up to $49.5 million AUD (approximately $33 million USD).
Interestingly, reports indicate that many teenagers have managed to maintain their accounts despite the new regulations, with some claiming they circumvented the restrictions on the very first day the law was implemented. Messaging services such as WhatsApp, email, online gaming, and educational platforms are exempt from these new rules.
As the legal challenge unfolds, Reddit’s actions highlight the ongoing debate surrounding youth access to social media and the balance between safety and free expression in the digital age. The outcome could have significant implications for both internet governance and the accessibility of social media for younger users in Australia and potentially beyond.