The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring similar measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, action is largely occurring at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, other states are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.
As this international discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
