The nation's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a useful first step," said the European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong evidence".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
Even as this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
