Australia's decisive action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Last year, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Beyond the West, further states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this international conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
