Australia's bold action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," commented one parliamentarian driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust research".
Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Beyond these regions, further countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
As this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
