Australia's decisive move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said one parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to copy this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Beyond these regions, further states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
While this international discussion continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that governments globally are less and less content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
