The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "an options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, action is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of these regions, other nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
While this global discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers show that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
