The nation's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law could be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," stated the MEP driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust research".
Previously, support grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," said a leading peer.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Beyond the West, further states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
As this international conversation continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
