Platform argues rushed legislation infringes on teenagers' implied freedom of political communication.
Lawyers representing Reddit argued before Australia's High Court on Tuesday that the federal government rushed through "ill-thought-out, over-broad legislation" when it passed its landmark ban on social media for children under 16. Reddit initiated its legal challenge on the grounds that the policy impinges upon the implied freedom of political communication for teenagers.
The proceedings mark the beginning of two days of hearings at the country's highest court to test the world-leading policy, which was introduced in December. Alongside Reddit's lawsuit, the High Court is jointly hearing a separate constitutional challenge brought by a digital rights group, which contends that the restriction strips minors of their right to free communication.
Legal counsel for Reddit noted that the government's legislation has already been narrowed following the initial filing of the lawsuit. While proponents of the ban maintain that it is necessary to shield children from harmful online content, critics and civil liberties advocates argue the measure is an overly blunt instrument that fails to address the root issues of digital safety.
