🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," commented one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, interest built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local level amid national inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, other states are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies take a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.