The Australian bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a prominent peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are no longer content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
