🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a law increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated one MEP behind the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the regional government level due to federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

As this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.