The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". The policy may be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.
"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," commented the parliamentarian behind the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Last year, interest built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," stated a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, further nations are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.
As this global conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
