The nation's bold move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, further nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
Even as this international debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
