Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing number of states are considering similar measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said one MEP driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the regional government level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Beyond the West, other countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies take a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.
While this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
