The Australian decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward similar bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Previously, support gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the local level amid national inaction.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to mimic this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Outside of these regions, other countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.
Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
