Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a bill 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 government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the state level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Apart from the West, further states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, world agencies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
Even as this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
