Could Different States Emulate Australia's Example in Restricting Social Media for Under-16s?

Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," stated the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The US: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.

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

But, international organizations take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.