Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to enact a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a young person who died after encountering disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," said a influential peer.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations strike a more measured position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this international conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
