Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the UN General Assembly on 28 September 2026 that more than 20 countries have introduced or are actively considering age restrictions on social media, as world leaders gathered in New York to demand stronger protections for children from the risks posed by digital platforms and artificial intelligence.

Albanese cited Australia's own landmark decision to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media as a catalyst for the broader international movement. 'Already, more than 20 countries are bringing in or have brought in age restrictions on social media,' he said, adding that with the European community also acting, 'there are many more to come.'

Australia's Ban and Its Global Ripple Effect

Australia's under-16 social media prohibition was adopted following a sustained campaign by parents who documented harm their children had suffered from platform exposure. Some of those parents had addressed the General Assembly during its previous session — an unusual and emotionally charged moment that amplified pressure on governments worldwide.

Albanese framed the measure as proof that countries could act collectively on problems generated by fast-moving technology. The UN's mission, he cautioned, could not be 'subcontracted to the world's richest companies or dictated by the pace of technology.'

France and the UK Echo the Warning

French President Emmanuel Macron backed the call for regulatory intervention, pointing to what he described as a measurable decline in the learning capacity of young people exposed to certain digital technologies. 'Let's not wait for the consequences to come raining down,' Macron said. He also warned that decisions over artificial intelligence could not be left solely to the United States, China, and a handful of private companies, given the technology's reach into governments, hospitals, and financial systems.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham called AI a multiplier of existing threats in the information environment, accusing hostile actors of deploying bots, fabricated websites, and falsified news reports to exploit public fear and deepen social divisions. The United Kingdom pledged to work toward common global principles on AI transparency, preparedness, and safety, with Burnham arguing that fundamental AI decisions 'are too important to be left to chance' and must rest with elected governments.

Asia and Europe Weigh the Economic Stakes

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that the AI revolution risked deepening economic inequality and heightening anxiety among young people about their futures. South Korea announced plans to establish a Global AI Hub platform to share the benefits of its technological advances with the international community.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani called for rules but cautioned against over-regulation, warning that new technologies risked creating fresh inequalities and dangerous concentrations of power. He called for a calibrated framework balancing transparency, oversight, security, and intellectual property protection — but insisted 'we do not need bureaucratic cages that only some would respect.'

Argentina Pushes Back on Regulation

Argentine President Javier Milei offered the sharpest dissent, arguing that historical fears surrounding technological revolutions had not produced the destruction of employment that critics predicted. Argentina, he said, would avoid premature regulation and instead offer incentives to companies developing AI. 'Fear should not transfer into obedience,' Milei said.

The contrasting stances at the General Assembly reflect a fundamental global disagreement: whether governments should restrict children's access to digital platforms directly, or compel companies to redesign services that can expose minors to harmful content, addictive algorithms, misinformation, and exploitation. With the European Union, the UK, and a growing bloc of nations leaning toward intervention, that debate is rapidly shifting from philosophical to legislative.