Australia's bold policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, regulation is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, other states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.
As this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are no longer willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.