The nation's decisive policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a rising number of states are exploring parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law may be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a solid first step," commented one MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
While this global debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
