Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are considering comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on robust data".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, legislation is largely happening at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted laws demanding parental consent for minors to open social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Beyond the West, additional countries are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global bodies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
While this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
