Reddit has sued the Commonwealth of Australia to challenge a new law that bans people under 16 from creating or keeping social media accounts, arguing the rule mislabels Reddit and infringes on political communication rights. The company says it operates as a "collection of public fora," not a conventional social network, and warned mandatory age verification could be intrusive, insecure, and isolating for teens. The dispute comes amid similar legislative moves in Malaysia, Norway, Denmark, and proposed U.S. federal bills.
Reddit Sues Australia, Saying It’s A ‘Collection Of Public Fora’ — Not A Social Media Platform
Reddit filed a legal challenge over Australia's new Social Media Minimum Age law.picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia challenging a new law that bans people under 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts. The company is asking a court to overturn the law or, alternatively, to exclude Reddit from its scope, arguing that the statute misapplies to its service.
What Reddit Says
In a 12-page legal filing against the Commonwealth of Australia and the Minister for Communications, Reddit argues it should not be labeled an "age-restricted social media platform" under the new legislation. Instead, the company describes itself as "a collection of public fora arranged by subject," saying its primary purpose is not to enable private online social interaction between named end users in the way regulators typically imagine.
"It is not the case that the sole purpose, or a significant purpose, of Reddit is to enable 'online social interaction' between two or more end-users," the filing states.
Key Differences Cited
Reddit highlights several features that distinguish it from conventional social networks: many users participate anonymously; the site doesn't import contact lists or address books; and the upvote/downvote system is designed to reflect the usefulness of content rather than social approval of the poster. The company says these differences mean Reddit functions more as a forum-based information and discussion platform than a typical social media service.
Concerns About The New Law
Australia's law places responsibility on platforms to verify users' ages. Reddit says compliance could force intrusive and potentially insecure age-verification processes on adults as well as minors. The company warns such measures could also isolate teenagers from age-appropriate communities — including political discussions — and create an inconsistent patchwork of regulation across services.
Reddit told its community that it is complying with the law for now but is pursuing legal remedies to challenge its application. The company also posted a public statement on the platform explaining its position and possible consequences of broad enforcement.
Wider Pushback And International Context
Other major platforms affected by the law — including ByteDance (TikTok) and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) — have also criticized the age-verification requirement. The debate over children’s access to social media is happening worldwide: Malaysia plans a similar ban for under-16s beginning in 2026, lawmakers in Norway and Denmark have proposed limits for under-15s, and U.S. senators introduced the "Kids Off Social Media Act," which would bar under-13s from accounts and restrict algorithmic targeting of under-17s.
Founded in 2005, Reddit went public in 2024 with an estimated valuation of about $6.4 billion and hosts thousands of topic-based "subreddits" where users post, comment, vote, and message one another. While some users use real names, most participate under pseudonyms.
Legal Claim
Among its legal arguments, Reddit says the law infringes Australia’s implied freedom of political communication by limiting young people’s ability to participate in public conversation. The company seeks either revocation of the rule or an exemption that reflects Reddit’s forum-like design.
What Happens Next: The case will test how courts define "social media" in law and whether platform features — such as anonymity, forum structure, and voting mechanics — change regulatory obligations. The outcome could influence platform policy and youth access rules internationally.
