The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation may be passed soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," stated one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government pledged to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to mimic this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
While this global conversation continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that states globally are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
