The nation's decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," said one parliamentarian behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Previously, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is mostly happening at the state government level due to national inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond the West, further countries are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
