The nation's bold move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said one MEP supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a prominent peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, action is largely happening at the local level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of the West, other countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this international debate continues, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
