Australia's bold move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," commented the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, further states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
