The nation's bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward comparable bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," commented a leading peer.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, action is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of the West, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this international debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
