The Australian bold action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
The European Trend
Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be passed next year.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," said the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".
Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely happening at the state level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, other nations are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
Even as this international conversation continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
