Australia's decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the state government level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Apart from these regions, further states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
