The nation's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust data".
Earlier, interest grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Outside of these regions, additional states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world bodies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
As this global debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
