The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," stated the MEP supporting the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong data".
Previously, support gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to national inaction.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, further states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
