The nation's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
Stateside, action is mostly occurring at the regional level amid national inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
