The Australian bold policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," stated one MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the government committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the local level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Views
Apart from these regions, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
As this global debate evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
