Will Different Countries Emulate Australia's Example in Banning Social Platforms for Youth Under Sixteen?

Australia's bold move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing group of states are exploring similar measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and fit for minors," said a prominent peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the local government level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, international bodies adopt a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.