The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
- The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to prevent their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," said the parliamentarian driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong data".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, action is primarily occurring at the state level due to federal inaction.
- Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional states are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
As this global debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
