Australia’s Supreme Court has heard a challenge brought by Reddit and the Digital Freedom Project against the country’s ban on social media use by children under 16. The plaintiffs argue that the law is unconstitutional because it restricts political expression, while the government says it is needed to protect children from addictive platform features and associated risks. Seven judges considered the case over two days, and a ruling could take months; the ban remains in force in the meantime.

The ban covers platforms including Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch. Its effectiveness is also being questioned: more than five million accounts have reportedly been deleted or restricted, but research indicates that more than 85% of under-16s remain on social media, often by circumventing age checks. The government has increased the maximum fine for companies from 45 million to 99 million Australian dollars, although no fines have been issued. Parliament is also considering a proposed digital duty-of-care law that would regulate personalized algorithms and require platforms to remove harmful content and protect children from cyberbullying, the glorification of eating disorders and violence.