Australia's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Trend
In Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," stated one parliamentarian driving the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data".
Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.
Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is largely happening at the local government level due to country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to copy this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.
As this international conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
