The Australian decisive policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
In Europe, a growing number of states are considering similar restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Previously, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, action is primarily happening at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, further countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this international discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
