Will Other States Pursue Australia's in Banning Social Platforms for Under-16s?

The nation's bold move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a growing number of countries are considering comparable measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a leading peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional states are likewise taking action.

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

However, international organizations strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this global conversation continues, the steps of Australia and others show that governments around the world are increasingly content to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.