🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing number of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, support built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level due to national gridlock.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from these regions, additional nations are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this international conversation continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.