Australia's decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A strong age limit is a good foundation," stated the MEP supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Beyond Europe and the US, other states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
Even as this international debate continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states internationally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
