The Australian decisive action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing number of states are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," said one parliamentarian driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in robust research".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Charities have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of the West, other nations are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve safety.
Even as this global debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
