Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to enact a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated one parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the local level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, additional nations are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
Even as this international debate continues, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
