The nation's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering parallel bans.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a good foundation," said the MEP supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive data".
Earlier, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional government level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from the West, further states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
As this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
