The nation's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong data".
Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
Even as this international discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
