🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in robust research".

Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a leading peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.