The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Apart from the West, other states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
While this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
