🔗 Share this article

Australia's decisive move to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are exploring comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "an measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, action is largely happening at the local level amid federal inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.