Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.
As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.