🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local government level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, international organizations take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.