The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Trend
In Europe, a rising number of countries are considering similar measures.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful first step," said the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating parental consent for minors to open social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Apart from these regions, other states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.
Even as this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
