Might Different Nations Follow Australia's Lead in Restricting Social Platforms for Under-16s?

The Australian decisive action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," stated the MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent peer.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this international conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.