Australia's controversial policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
The European Momentum
In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said one MEP driving the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong research".
Last year, interest built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely happening at the local government level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.
While this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
