The Australian controversial move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust data".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.
America: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the regional level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
