The nation's bold policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are considering parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," said one MEP supporting the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading peer.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, action is largely unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
As this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
