Australia's bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong research".
Last year, support built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a prominent peer.
America: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, action is primarily happening at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international agencies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
As this international discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
