The Australian controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". Legislation could be passed soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, other states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that states globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
