Australia's decisive move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are considering similar bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
