The Australian bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong data".
Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional states are also taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.
Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
