The Australian decisive action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". A law could be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust research".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level amid national stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of the West, additional nations are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international debate evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
