The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Trend
In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed next year.
- Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," said one parliamentarian driving the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust data".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, action is primarily happening at the state government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this worldwide debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
