The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering similar measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". A law may be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a good first step," said a leading MEP supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to further research the topic.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Beyond these regions, other countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
As this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that governments internationally are less and less content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.
