The nation's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," commented one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and fit for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of the West, additional countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
