The Australian controversial action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that phones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". A law could be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to block their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," said one MEP supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust data".
Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to follow Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Outside of the West, further nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations take a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
