The nation's bold action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban could be "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong data".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
