Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," stated the European lawmaker driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and fit for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.
Even as this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
