The Australian decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law may be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," stated the MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration committed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of these regions, further countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.
Even as this global conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments globally are increasingly willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
