The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
