Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering similar bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the local level due to national stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Beyond these regions, additional nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.
While this international conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments internationally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
