The Australian bold policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". A law may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".
Previously, interest grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and fit for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Beyond these regions, further countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.
As this international conversation continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
