Will Other Countries Follow Australia's Lead in Restricting Social Media for Under-16s?

The Australian controversial action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid foundation," commented one parliamentarian supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond the West, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.