While the law’s sweeping nature is unprecedented, several countries have enacted or proposed similar restrictions in recent years, reflecting a growing global concern over children’s safety online.
Here’s how Australia’s strict new rules compare to measures in other nations:
Europe
Across the European Union (EU), children’s social media usage regulations focus heavily on parental oversight rather than outright bans. Under EU law, parental consent is required to process the personal data of children under 16. However, individual member states can lower this age to 13, leading to variation in enforcement.
France: In 2023, France introduced a law requiring platforms to obtain parental consent for minors under 15. Enforcement has faced delays due to technical challenges. Additional recommendations include banning smartphones for children under 11, though these measures remain under review.
Germany: Parental consent is mandatory for children aged 13 to 16 to access social media. There are no plans to implement stricter restrictions, though child safety advocates argue for better enforcement of existing rules.
Norway: The Norwegian government recently proposed raising the age for independent social media consent from 13 to 15 while also exploring legislation for a minimum age requirement. Half of Norway’s nine-year-olds already use social media, highlighting enforcement challenges.
Belgium: A 2018 law prohibits children under 13 from creating social media accounts without parental permission.
United Kingdom
The UK’s Online Safety Act, set to take effect in 2025, imposes stricter age verification and content moderation standards on platforms but stops short of a blanket age ban. Digital Minister Peter Kyle has commissioned studies to explore the impact of social media and smartphone use on children, leaving room for future policy adjustments.
United States
In the US, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have self-imposed age limits of 13, but enforcement primarily relies on user honesty. Federal legislation akin to Australia’s has yet to emerge, though individual states, such as Utah, are experimenting with stricter parental control measures for minors’ online activities.
Venezuela
Inspired by Australia’s ban, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has called for similar legislation, urging lawmakers to prioritise child protection online. “I agree, I believe all of this should be immediately regulated through a special law. I’m asking the sovereign National Assembly to build a consensus with the people — they should call on the youth. So that we can create a good protection law like Australia did and like all countries in the world are doing,” he said.
How Australia’s ban stands out
Unlike its counterparts, Australia’s law mandates an outright ban for under-16 users, with no parental consent loopholes. Exemptions are limited to education and health services, such as YouTube and Messenger Kids, to mitigate disruptions in learning and communication.
Critics argue that Australia’s approach risks isolating children, particularly marginalised groups such as LGBTQ+ teens, who often rely on social media for support. Privacy concerns over how platforms will verify users’ ages without infringing on rights remain a sticking point, drawing parallels to challenges faced by France.
A global shift in child online safety?
Australia’s legislation reflects a broader trend of governments grappling with the risks of social media. While the country’s hardline stance is unique, it may set a precedent for stricter global regulations. As nations like Norway and France consider bolstering their policies, and the UK enforces its Online Safety Act, Australia’s model could influence future legislation worldwide.
Whether this represents a turning point in child online safety or raises more questions about privacy and enforcement remains to be seen.
