The nation's decisive move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to further research the issue.
Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a influential peer.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the local government level amid federal inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Beyond the West, further countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
Even as this international discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
