🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

However, global bodies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of this nation and others show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.