Social media ban: Reddit slams under-16 lockout as ‘legally erroneous’ but will comply
Reddit has attacked the Australian Government’s upcoming ban on social media for under-16s as limiting the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
In a post on Tuesday, Reddit said it will comply with the laws, but suggested they wrongly targeted the messaging platform as being harmful to young Australians.
“We also believe the law’s application to Reddit (a pseudonymous, text-based forum overwhelmingly used by adults) is arbitrary, legally erroneous, and goes far beyond the original intent of the Australian Parliament,” it said.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Reddit added that from the law’s enforcement on Wednesday it will ask all new users to verify their date of birth to obtain an account. Existing Reddit holders will be required to go through an age-prediction model and anyone considered to be under-16 will have their account suspended.
“By limiting account eligibility and putting identity tests on internet usage, this law undermines everyone’s right to both free expression and privacy, as well as account-specific protections,” Reddit said.
Fast-growing platform
The platform co-founded by US entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian has been one of the most successful internet phenomenons over the last 12 months as it said total daily active users globally soared 19 per cent to 116 million over the year to September 30, 2025.
It now has 444 million weekly global users and reported a net profit of $US163 million ($246 million) over the three months to September, 30.
Its rising popularity is linked to its reputations as a forum for internet counter-culture of memes, gossip, discussions, jokes, and online communities traversing a vast range of topics.
In Australia, it made news in September when disgruntled staff at Australia & New Zealand Bank started anonymously posting complaints about job cuts and management’s performance at the bank.
Ban nears
The world-first social media ban will cover Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Twitch and Kick users from Wednesday.
The Australian Government has said the list is open to change, or additions, as necessary in what’s likely to prove a cat and mouse battle with some young users.
It’s assumed all of the social media platforms would’ve taken legal advice about the new law’s implications.
A report in The Australian Financial Review claimed Reddit is working with law firm Thomson Geer to prepare a High Court challenge to the ban.
However, Reddit appeared to dismiss this suggestion in Tuesday morning’s post. Neither Reddit or Thomson Geer have immediately responded to a request for further comment.
