Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one MEP behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Charities have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, action is primarily happening at the local government level amid federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various individuals to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
As this global debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others show that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
