Australia's bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
While this international debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
