The nation's bold move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel measures.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a law increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".
Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," said a leading peer.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, action is largely unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to follow this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, further countries are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, global organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
Even as this international debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
