🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust data".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, action is largely happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

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

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

As this international discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.