The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive data".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.
While this global discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and others show that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
