technology Australia
Australia defends under-16 social media ban in High Court
2cases
Cases challenging Australiaâs under-16 social media ban
The Australian government defended its under-16 social media ban, arguing that credible risks justify action despite no scientific consensus on social mediaâs mental-health effects. Reddit is challenging the ban in the High Court, with the case expected to be heard before the end of 2026.
1 sourceThe GuardianUpdated
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The Australian government conceded that there was no scientific consensus on the link between social media use and mental-health harms among teenagers.
âthe government has conceded it implemented the âworld-leadingâ under-16s social media ban before there was scientific consensusâ
AllegedThe Australian government argued that credible risks to young people justify the under-16 social media ban.
âargued the âcredible risksâ of issues such as addictive behaviours and anxiety justify the policyâ
Reddit challenged Australiaâs under-16 social media ban in the High Court.
âUS-based platform Reddit has challenged the under-16s social media ban in the high courtâ