The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". The policy is expected to be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with additional time needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
As this global conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others show that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
