Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy may be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," said the MEP behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to national gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Beyond these regions, other states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.
While this international conversation unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
