The nation's controversial move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
In Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the local level amid national stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
