Australia's controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law increasing the legal 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 comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," said a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".
Last year, support built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," said a influential peer.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
