Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age limit is a useful first step," said a leading MEP driving the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful online content argues that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state level amid federal inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Outside of these regions, further states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies adopt a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.
As this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others show that states around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
