The Albanese government has implemented the world’s strictest age-based regulation on digital platforms in an effort to reduce screen addiction and limit exposure to harmful content. The ban targets widely used apps and aims to shield minors from the negative effects of social algorithms and content related to topics such as self-harm. Australia’s Communications Ministry is sharing policy models with other nations, prompting a global discussion on youth digital safety.
Around the world, momentum to regulate young people's use of digital platforms is growing fast, but agreement on the best way to implement these changes remains elusive. In the United States, several states have passed laws requiring parental consent or curfews for minors online, though many of these have been struck down due to constitutional challenges around freedom of speech. Congress is currently reviewing nearly 20 separate bills on the issue. In Britain, age-verification measures have been introduced. Meanwhile, the European Parliament is exploring an under-16 restriction across the bloc, but no legislation has yet been enacted.
Countries such as Denmark and regions like Nova Scotia in Canada are using Australia's model as a reference. China, which has already put in place rules limiting gaming time and banning underage livestreaming, faces widespread issues with enforcement. Despite the use of real-name registration systems and facial recognition, many minors continue to evade controls through adult IDs or shadow market accounts. A study last year revealed that over 77% of minors in China had bypassed identity verification systems.
The key challenge in all these regulatory efforts is enforcement. Young users are highly adaptive, often using virtual private networks and parent-authorised accounts to gain access. Regardless of whether a country has a democratic or authoritarian system, children’s familiarity with technology often outpaces government efforts to limit access.
Critics warn that without changes to how platforms are designed, Australia’s ban might drive teens toward more dangerous, less-regulated digital spaces. Globally, such restrictions are an attempt to reshape the online landscape for a generation raised on the internet. The task for governments is to find a balance between safety and access, control and innovation, and protection and freedom. So far, no single approach has proven fully effective or free of unintended outcomes.
