The nation's decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," said the MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, action is primarily happening at the state level due to national inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Apart from these regions, other states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
