The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Trend
In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".
Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level due to national gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, international bodies take a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states internationally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
