The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Previously, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have raised warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the local level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to follow this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, additional states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations take a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.
Even as this global conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
