Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," said one parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering harmful online content contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
