Legal challenge to Australia's social media ban to start in High Court

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.