The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust research".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Apart from these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
