The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a good first step," said the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is primarily occurring at the local level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Outside of these regions, other countries are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
