The Australian bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not create binding law.
"A strong age limit is a good starting point," commented the MEP driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong data".
Previously, interest built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a influential peer.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various figures to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global organizations take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
Even as this global conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and others show that states around the world are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
