The Australian bold action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, support built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
