The nation's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Trend
Across Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to pass a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to block their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age limit is a good starting point," said the European lawmaker behind the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, action is primarily happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Outside of these regions, additional states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, global organizations strike a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
While this international conversation evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are no longer content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
