Arya News - The online social news forum platform Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia`s high court against the ban on young teens using social media.
Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia"s High Court against the ban on young teens using social media, arguing that it infringes on students" rights to political communication.
The ban that took effect Wednesday blocks teens younger than 16 from 10 major social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Reddit, YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Snapchat and Threads.
The suit argues that the law is invalid because it suppresses teens" freedom to participate in political discussions. But if the court finds that the law is valid, then it should exclude Reddit from the ban because it"s not a social media platform.
The suit said that Reddit"s purpose isn"t social interactions between users, but engagement about content posted online. It also points out that "vast amounts" of social media content is available without an account, which means "the reduction of risk of harm is minimal (at best)."
Reddit said in a statement to CNBC that it agrees that protecting kids under 16 is important, but the law could isolate teens "from the ability to engage in age-appropriate community experiences (including political discussions)."
The suit said that the law "burdens political communication," and said "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."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese"s office responded to the filing saying it "will stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media."
Another lawsuit brought by two children and an Internet watchdog group is also challenging the ban. Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, both 15, are plaintiffs in a legal challenge filed in November, along with the Digital Freedom Project .
Reddit said it would follow the law in the meantime, though it does not ask users their ages when they sign up. It said it would use an "age prediction model" and ask users it deemed to be younger than 16 to verify their ages.