The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated one MEP behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a leading peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies take a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.
While this international conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers show that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
