Australia’s passage of a sweeping ban on social media accounts for children under sixteen has intensified scrutiny of the United States Congress, where lawmakers are being pressed to explain why stronger federal protections for children online have yet to materialise.

The Australian legislation, which places enforcement responsibility on technology companies rather than parents, has been widely cited in Washington as a decisive response to growing concerns over youth mental health, online exploitation and the addictive design of social platforms.

In recent congressional hearings and public statements, U.S. lawmakers have acknowledged rising frustration among parents and advocacy groups who argue that existing American laws have failed to keep pace with the scale and sophistication of digital platforms.

While several bipartisan proposals have been introduced, including measures to strengthen age verification, limit data collection on minors and hold platforms accountable for harmful content, none have yet been enacted into comprehensive federal law.

Australia’s move has sharpened comparisons, highlighting the absence of a unified national framework in the United States.

Supporters of stronger action in Congress point to mounting evidence linking excessive social media use among children to anxiety, sleep disruption and exposure to predatory behaviour.

They argue that Australia’s approach demonstrates that governments can impose clear obligations on companies without banning the internet itself.

Lawmakers sympathetic to this view say the challenge in the U.S. lies in balancing child safety with constitutional protections for speech and privacy, as well as navigating intense lobbying from the technology sector.

At the same time, some members of Congress caution against rushing legislation that could have unintended consequences or face immediate legal challenges.

They have called for targeted reforms and further study, rather than broad prohibitions, emphasising parental involvement and digital literacy.

Nonetheless, Australia’s law has become a reference point in Washington, reinforcing calls for Congress to move beyond hearings and proposals toward concrete action to protect children online.

As the debate continues, the contrast between Australia’s decisive legislation and the United States’ incremental approach is fuelling public pressure on federal lawmakers to demonstrate that safeguarding children in the digital age is a legislative priority, not merely a talking point.