The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented the parliamentarian driving the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong data".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, further countries are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations take a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this international conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
