Meta, de eigenaar van Facebook en Instagram, wordt in Australië aangeklaagd wegens schade aan kinderen die gebruik maken van sociale media. Dit zou mogelijk de eerste klacht zijn in Australië waarin sociale media worden verweten schade te hebben toegebracht aan hun gebruikers.
A rights group will argue the world-leading policy robs under-16s of their right to free communication.
Australia's world-first social media ban for users under 16 will face its first major legal challenge in the High Court today, nearly a year after taking effect.
<p>Reddit challenges ban on grounds it impinges implied freedom of political communications for teens</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The Australian government’s rush to pass the under-16s social media ban legislation in 2024 led to “ill-thought-out, over-broad legislation” that has since been narrowed after Reddit sued the government, lawyers for the social media company told the high court on Tuesday.</p><p>Reddit, one of the top 10 websites visited in the world, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/03/australia-social-media-ban-high-court-challenge-reddit-digital-freedom-project">has challenged the teen social media ban</a> on the grounds it impinges the implied freedom of political communication for under-16s.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/03/reddit-under-16s-social-media-ban-australia-high-court">Continue reading...</a>
Online giant Reddit and advocacy group Digital Freedom Project argue ban is unconstitutional.
<img align="left" border="0" hspace="10" src="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/135484341.cms" style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 5px;" />In late 2025, Australia enacted a law prohibiting individuals under 16 from accessing social media. However, Reddit and a libertarian organization are contesting this legislation in the High Court. While the law seeks to safeguard youth, it faces backlash for its lacking effectiveness, as many teenagers under this age still manage to go online. The government has responded by imposing stricter penalties on non-compliant social media platforms.
Reddit and an Australian digital advocacy group are claiming a law that restricts children younger than 16 from popular platforms infringes on their constitutional rights.