Australia's controversial move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Trend
In Europe, a growing group of states are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation could be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful first step," commented the MEP behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a influential peer.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies take a more measured stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this global discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments globally are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
