Will Additional Nations Pursue Australia's in Prohibiting Social Media for Under-16s?

The nation's bold move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

In Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not create binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "based on conclusive research".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Beyond the West, further states are also exploring options.

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

But, global agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.