Will Additional Countries Pursue Australia's Example in Prohibiting Online Networks for Teenagers Under 16?

Australia's controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.

The European Momentum

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

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". Legislation could be enacted next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," said a leading MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely occurring at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.