The Australian bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel measures.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," said a leading MEP behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong evidence".
Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
