Brussels closely watching Australia’s pioneering social media ban

The EU is looking at Australia’s pioneering new social media ban, as under-16s there lost access to TikTok and Instagram and other platforms under the country’s social media ban, which came into effect on Wednesday (10 December).  

The new Australian law, passed in 2024, bans children under 16 from 10 major social media sites, and is intended to act as a shield from the harmful side of the internet. 

Europe, through EU and member state proposals, is actively considering a social media ban and age verification as ways to address the evident impacts of the technology on children, and is looking down under to see how its law plays out.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Danish Social Democrat MEP Christel Schaldemose said, “I am happy that they have made this ban, so that they are going to check it out. they’re going to experiment with the law. And we will be able to learn from the Australian law.” 

“I am happy we have a chance to see how they do it, and see if we can learn from them,” she added. 

Following petitions from parents and studies on the technology’s effects, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in November in favour of an EU social media age minimum of 16, with similar proposals at the member-state level in Spain, Denmark, and France.

Danish digital minister Caroline Stage Olsen went on CNN, using the Australian example to further push for a ban in the EU.