Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful online content argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to copy this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of the West, additional states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international bodies strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this global debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and others show that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
