The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said the MEP behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong data".
Last year, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.
America: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, action is largely occurring at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some figures to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world organizations strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
