The nation's bold action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".
Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and fit for children," stated a influential peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, regulation is largely happening at the regional government level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
Even as this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
