The Australian bold action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," stated the MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust data".
Previously, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to 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 create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to mimic this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Outside of the West, further nations are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global bodies take a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
While this global debate continues, the steps of this nation and others show that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
