The nation's bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring similar restrictions.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law could be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," said one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the local level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and others show that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
