Australia's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, additional states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.
As this international discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that states around the world are less and less content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
