Australia's bold action to ban social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional states are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.
As this global discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and others show that governments globally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
