The nation's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Beyond Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.
While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.
