The nation's bold move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that governments internationally are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
