The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of states are exploring comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "an measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," said the parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.
Charities have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are appropriate and fit for children," said a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Outside of the West, other states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
