Australia's bold policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a leading peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level due to national inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, further states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
