Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive data".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, action is primarily occurring at the state level due to national gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to copy this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
