Could Different Nations Follow Australia's Example in Restricting Social Media for Under-16s?

Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, action is primarily unfolding at the local level amid federal inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this international debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.