The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a increasing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban remains "an measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the minimum 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 similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
