The nation's decisive policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law could be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the state government level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Beyond the West, further states are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international agencies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.
As this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
