Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation may be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," commented the parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust research".
Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and fit for children," said a leading peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Beyond the West, further states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, world agencies take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.
Even as this international debate evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
