The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," commented one MEP driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
Across Britain, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust data".
Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Charities have expressed warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
As this global discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
