Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," stated the MEP driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, interest built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and fit for minors," commented a influential peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state government level due to national inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of the West, additional states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
