The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government 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 motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," stated the MEP driving the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong research".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," said a leading peer.
America: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, world bodies strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.
While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
