• Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia challenging a ban on social media for users under 16.
• The law, effective December 10, is claimed to infringe on political expression and privacy.
• Reddit argues that it should not be included under the ban due to its adult-focused community.

Reddit has initiated a legal challenge in Australia's High Court against the newly enacted social media ban for individuals under 16. This landmark law, which came into effect on December 10, aims to bar underage users from popular platforms including Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with severe penalties for non-compliance, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

In its court filing, Reddit argues that the law is "invalid on the ground that it infringes the implied freedom of political communication," impacting not just minors but broader political discourse. The platform asserts that the voices of children are crucial in informing the electoral choices of their parents and teachers, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

Reddit further stated that the legislative approach misses the mark in effectively protecting youth online. It emphasizes that proper engagement could better safeguard minors from online threats than outright exclusion, as the latter denies them community experiences, including political discussions, according to India Times and NPR.

In a statement, Reddit asserted the importance of being excluded from the law's provisions, arguing that it operates differently from traditional social networks. The platform does not aim its services at minors and primarily facilitates adult discussions, thereby claiming that enforcing the ban on Reddit is inconsistent and unfounded, noted Channel News Asia and Reuters.