Australia's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust data".
Last year, interest built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a influential peer.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local level due to federal inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional states are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, world bodies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
