Australia's decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
European Trend
In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".
Previously, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Apart from the West, other states are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.
While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and others indicate that governments around the world are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
