Australia's bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are considering similar bans.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," commented one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong data".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, action is largely happening at the state level due to national stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are less and less content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
