The nation's decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good first step," commented one MEP supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
Even as this international discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
