Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of states are considering similar bans.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "an measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good first step," said one MEP behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong research".
Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, action is largely happening at the local level amid national gridlock.
- Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from these regions, further nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
As this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
