The nation's bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential peer.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local level amid national inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of these regions, other nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
