🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a solid starting point," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised concerns. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a influential peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.