Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "an options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not create binding law.
"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust data".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a influential child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this international conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
