Australia's decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
As this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
