Australia's decisive policy to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a rising number of states are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust data".
Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the government committed to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.
As this international discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
