The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be passed soon.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a bill lifting the minimum 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 government panel has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good first step," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, action is mostly occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Beyond the West, other countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global agencies strike a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
