The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Trend
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's youth". A law may be enacted soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust data".
Previously, support grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
While this global debate continues, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
