Reddit sues Australia to exempt itself from kids social media ban
Forum site says it’s potentially more harmful to users who don’t log in
Forum site Reddit has filed a case that seeks to exempt itself from Australia’s ban on children under 16 holding social media accounts.
Reddit went straight to Australia’s ultimate jurisdiction, the High Court, with two arguments.
The first is that Australia’s constitution includes an implied freedom of political communication that exists to ensure Australians can “exercise a free and informed choice as electors.” Reddit argues that banning kids from social media infringes that freedom.
“The political views of children inform the electoral choices of many current electors, including their parents and their teachers, as well as others interested in the views of those soon to reach the age of maturity,” the company’s court filing states. “Preventing children from communicating their political views directly burdens political communication in Australia.”
Reddit’s second argument centers on the test Australia applies to social networks when considering if they should be banned for use by children, and the purpose of the law.
One element of that test considers whether a site’s sole or significant purpose “is to enable online social interaction between two or more end-users.” The intent of the law is to minimize harm to kids.
Reddit argues that online social interaction is not a significant purpose of the site, in part because so many users are anonymous.
The company also asserts that because Australian kids can access Reddit in read-only mode, without an account, the site can still harm them despite the ban. The filing then argues that read-only mode might be more harmful, because when users log in to Reddit they can opt in to filters that mean they don’t see age-inappropriate content.
Australia’s High Court doesn’t have to hear every case brought before it, but the nation’s government has already said it will defend the matter.
"We will stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media," a government spokesperson said, describing its position as being “on the side of Australian parents and kids, not platforms.”
Australia’s government says the ban is a necessary reform it’s enacted to protect the nation’s children from harmful products, claims parents support its actions and welcome the ban, and framed its actions as a combative stance against Big Tech’s power. ®