The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," said one MEP driving the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to copy this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of this nation and others show that governments globally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
