🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to ban social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on robust evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the government pledged to investigate the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

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

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.