Canberra:US social media platform Reddit has criticized Australia's ban on social media accounts for children under 16 as "poorly designed and ineffective" during a court challenge.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Reddit argued before Australia's High Court that the restrictions limit young people's participation in political discussions. The court is conducting a two-day hearing into constitutional challenges brought by Reddit and the advocacy group Digital Freedom Project.

Reddit's lawyers contended that the legislation, passed swiftly through parliament in 2024, imposed broad restrictions on political communication. They highlighted that while teenagers could still view online content, they were prohibited from posting, commenting, or participating in discussions without registered accounts. Furthermore, Reddit questioned its classification as an age-restricted social media platform under the law.

The Australian government defended the measures, asserting that they are essential to protect children from harmful content and the potentially addictive nature of social media. Introduced in December 2025, the ban mandates that 10 major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit, prevent children under 16 from maintaining accounts. Consequently, nearly 5 million accounts have been blocked or deactivated.

The legal challenges focus on whether the restrictions infringe on Australia's constitutionally implied freedom of political communication. The hearing is set to conclude on Wednesday.