Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward similar bans.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be formalized next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," said the MEP supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful online content contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a leading peer.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, action is largely happening at the state level amid federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Apart from the West, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this global debate evolves, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
