The Australian decisive move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," stated one MEP supporting the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," commented a leading peer.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Beyond the West, other states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
As this global debate evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
