🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow Australia's path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments globally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to self-regulate.