Australia's bold action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a good first step," commented the European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," said a leading peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to national inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Outside of the West, additional states are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world bodies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
While this global discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
