Social media banned for kids, Reddit sues Australia
Appeal to the High Court filed. The platform asks to review the terms, and also to not be considered a social network
When it comes to social networks and minors, there is always the risk of ending up in a funnel of contradictions. On the one hand, technological evolution, on the other the protection of children, in the midst of an obstacle course of intricate regulations that often differ too much from country to country.
In recent days, there has been renewed insistence on the issue, after Australia - in fact - became the first democracy in the world to require technology platforms to exclude users under the age of 16, on pain of fines of up to AUD 49.5 million. The measure stems from growing concern about the effects of social media on children and teenagers and applies to giants such as Meta, but also Reddit.
And it is in the last few hours that Reddit (which is not really a social networking site, but a sort of forum) has decided to file a complaint with the Australian High Court arguing that the ban is legally invalid because it violates the implicit freedom of political communication provided for by Australian law. In other words, according to Reddit, the law does not merely protect minors, but risks compressing a fundamental right that affects the entire digital ecosystem.
In its complaint, Reddit also challenges its classification as a social platform subject to age limits. The company argues that it cannot be assimilated with traditional social networks because its main function is not based on social interaction in the strict sense, but on thematic communities and discussions organised by interests. A distinction that, if accepted, could open a significant breach in the law's framework.
The Australian government, for now, has not commented on the challenge. Neither the office of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese nor that of Communications Minister Anika Wells responded to requests for clarification on the legal challenge.
