The nation's decisive action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar bans.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum 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 similar step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said the MEP supporting the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Previously, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government pledged to further research the matter.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, action is largely happening at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global agencies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.
As this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
