The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to pass a bill raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level due to national inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this global conversation continues, the actions of this nation and others show that governments around the world are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
