The Australian decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters 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 teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," commented the MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Previously, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a girl who died after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a leading peer.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local government level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Beyond these regions, additional states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
