The nation's decisive move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local level amid national gridlock.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other nations are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
