The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
In Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.
"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," said the European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this international debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
