The nation's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward similar measures.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation could be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," said a prominent peer.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
As this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
