The nation's controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," said one MEP behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the state level due to national gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from these regions, other countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
As this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
