The nation's decisive policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are moving toward similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the European lawmaker driving the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, world bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
