Will Other Countries Pursue Australia's Lead in Restricting Social Media for Youth Under Sixteen?

Australia's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, action is largely unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.