Will Different Nations Emulate Australia's in Restricting Social Platforms for Youth Under Sixteen?

Australia's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's youth". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," stated one MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.