Could Additional States Follow Australia's in Prohibiting Social Platforms for Under-16s?

Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on strong research".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies adopt a more cautious position. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that states internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.