The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are moving toward similar restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented one MEP supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust data".
Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," said a leading peer.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is largely unfolding at the local level amid national gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Apart from these regions, other nations are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
Even as this international debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.
