The online discussion platform Reddit has filed a High Court challenge in Australia against the nation’s newly implemented social media age-restriction law that bans individuals under sixteen from maintaining accounts on major social networks.

The legal action was lodged just days after the world-first legislation — the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act — took effect on December ten, imposing obligations on leading platforms to block under-sixteen users or face fines of up to nearly fifty million Australian dollars for non-compliance.

The law covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, Kick and Reddit itself, requiring platforms to take reasonable steps to exclude minors.

In its filing, Reddit contends that the ban violates Australia’s implied freedom of political communication by excluding young people from public discourse, particularly as they approach voting age and civic participation.

The company further argues that classifying Reddit as a social media service subject to the law is inappropriate given its format as a largely adult-oriented, topic-driven discussion forum where many interactions are pseudonymous and not centred on traditional social networking.

Reddit’s complaint also highlights privacy concerns over intrusive age-verification measures that could affect all users, adults and minors alike.

Although Reddit has stated it will comply with the age-restriction requirements while pursuing legal review, the challenge amplifies broader industry unease over the legislation’s impact on digital rights, privacy and youth participation online.

A separate legal challenge has also been brought by Australian teenagers asserting similar constitutional concerns.

The Australian government has defended the law as a necessary safeguard for children online and has signalled it will enforce the rules while the courts consider the challenges.