The nation's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".
Last year, momentum built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
As this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
