🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to enact a proposal raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful starting point," commented one MEP driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," said a influential peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world bodies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.