The nation's decisive policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," said a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Apart from the West, further nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
Even as this international conversation continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
