The Australian bold policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust research".
Earlier, support built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the local government level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Beyond the West, further countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international debate evolves, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
