Australia's bold move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading MEP behind the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, further countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
