Will Different Nations Pursue Australia's Lead in Banning Online Networks for Youth Under Sixteen?

The Australian controversial move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

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

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a good first step," commented the MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.