The nation's decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a growing group of countries are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level amid federal inaction.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Beyond the West, other states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world organizations take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
