Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering comparable bans.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy could be passed soon.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, further countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this international conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are increasingly content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
