🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "an tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a law increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," said a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a law capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Outside of Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.