The Australian controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering parallel measures.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"An effective age barrier is a good first step," stated the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
Even as this global discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states internationally are less and less content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
