The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a law lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," stated one MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, other countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
