Might Different States Emulate Australia's in Restricting Social Media for Youth Under Sixteen?

The Australian controversial action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond the West, other nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this international debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that states globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.