The Australian decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law could be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has urged parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a solid first step," said the European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, regulation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to open social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies take a more measured position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
While this global conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and others demonstrate that states internationally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
