The Australian controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good first step," commented a leading MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong research".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a prominent peer.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of the West, further countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world bodies take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.
Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
