The Australian bold action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the topic.
Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a leading peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from these regions, other nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.
Even as this global conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
