Legal challenge to Australia's social media ban to start in High Court
The Australian High Court is set to hear legal challenges against the country's social media ban for children under 16. Plaintiffs, including digital rights groups and Reddit, argue the ban infringes on free speech and privacy rights.
Why it matters
This case represents a global test case for government regulation of social media platforms and the digital rights of minors.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Lana Lam Sydney Supplied: Digital Freedom Project Australian teen Noah Jones is no longer a plaintiff in the case but will attend Tuesday's hearing Two days of hearings on a challenge to Australia's landmark social media ban for children will begin at the country's highest court on Tuesday.
In a major test of the world-leading policy, a digital rights group will argue that the ban for under-16s robs children of their right to free communication. A separate challenge launched by platform Reddit will be jointly heard.
Introduced last December, the ban is a key part of sweeping changes the Australian government has spearheaded in recent years on online safety.
Supporters say the ban protects children from harmful content but critics say it is too blunt an instrument and efforts should focus on improving online safety.
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