Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a good first step," said the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Charities have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Beyond these regions, other countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global bodies strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.
While this international discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
