The Australian bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age limit is a good first step," stated one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the state level due to country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world organizations strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
