The Australian decisive move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," said a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
As this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
