Australia's bold move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good first step," said the parliamentarian driving the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".
Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Apart from the West, other nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, international organizations strike a more measured position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this global debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
