The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of countries are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". A law may be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for children," said a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various figures to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
While this global conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states globally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
