🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". Legislation could be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a law increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, interest grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.