The nation's bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward similar bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.
"A clear age limit is a good starting point," stated the MEP supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust data".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the regional level amid national gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Apart from these regions, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
Even as this global conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
