The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
European Momentum
In Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said one MEP driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, regulation is primarily happening at the local level amid national inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
Even as this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that states globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
