The Australian controversial policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
In Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the local government level amid federal inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Beyond the West, additional states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.
While this global debate continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that states around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
