🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," commented a leading MEP behind the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, action is primarily occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, international organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.