Australia's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid federal inaction.
- Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, other nations are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations take a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
