Australia's decisive action to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said the MEP behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
As this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
