Australia's bold action to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward similar bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a good starting point," stated one MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating parental consent for minors to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Apart from the West, other states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
As this global debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
