🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold move to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good first step," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to follow this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

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

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.