The Australian bold action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to approve a law lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," stated a leading MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level due to federal inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
While this global conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
