The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
The European Trend
Across Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from the West, other states are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
As this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
