Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable bans.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy may be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong research".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of these regions, additional nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this international conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
