Australia's decisive action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age limit is a solid first step," stated one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Beyond the West, further nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this global conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
