The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.
America: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.
