The nation's decisive policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive data".
Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of the West, further states are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
