The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," commented one parliamentarian driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Beyond the West, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
As this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that states around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
