The nation's bold policy to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to approve a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," stated the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to mimic Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries indicate that governments internationally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
