The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
In Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing 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 legislative committee has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not establish binding law.
"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," said the MEP supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, support built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the local government level amid federal inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations take a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this international discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
