The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said a leading MEP supporting the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the local level amid national gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
While this international conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states internationally are no longer willing to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
