After Australia, Which Countries Could Be Next to Ban Social Media for Children?

Growing Anxiety Over Youth Online Safety

Governments around the globe are closely monitoring Australia’s recent decision to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social‑media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. The move reflects mounting concerns that these services can expose minors to mental‑health risks, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.

What Australia’s Ban Entails

Effective from July 2024, Australian regulators will require platforms to verify users’ ages and block accounts belonging to anyone younger than 16. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines of up to AU$10 million per breach. The policy also mandates that platforms provide clear, age‑appropriate privacy settings and limit targeted advertising to minors.

Countries Watching the Australian Experiment

Several nations have announced that they are studying the Australian model and could adopt similar restrictions if the outcomes appear positive. Among them are:

• Canada – The federal government has commissioned a task force to examine the impact of age‑verification tools on youth well‑being.
• United Kingdom – The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is consulting on a draft bill that would ban under‑18s from certain social‑media features.
• Germany – The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs is exploring a “digital child protection” framework that could include mandatory age checks.
• New Zealand – Prime Minister’s office has launched a public inquiry into the harms of social‑media addiction among teenagers.
• United States – While a nationwide ban remains unlikely, several states (e.g., Arkansas and Utah) are considering legislation that would restrict minors’ access to platforms that use algorithmic feeds.

Key Arguments From Both Sides

Proponents argue that age‑verification and usage limits are essential to protect children’s developing brains from the dopamine‑driven feedback loops that can lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that teens who spent more than three hours per day on social media were twice as likely to report feelings of loneliness.

Opponents contend that outright bans may drive young people to circumvent restrictions using fake IDs or VPNs, thereby exposing them to even greater risks. They also warn that such measures could infringe on freedom of expression and limit the positive social connections that many adolescents rely on.

Potential Impact on the Tech Industry

If more governments follow Australia’s lead, global platforms could face a fragmented regulatory landscape, forcing them to develop region‑specific compliance tools. This would likely increase operational costs and could lead to the emergence of localized alternatives that are easier to regulate.

What Comes Next?

Australia’s ban will be closely watched over the next 12‑month period, with independent researchers tracking changes in youth mental‑health statistics, online behavior, and platform compliance. The findings will likely shape the policy decisions of the countries listed above, as well as inform the broader international debate on how to balance digital innovation with child protection.

For now, parents, educators, and policymakers are urged to engage in open dialogues about safe online practices, while governments continue to gather data that could determine the future of social‑media access for the next generation.