The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of states are moving toward comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, action is mostly occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.
