🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good foundation," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust research".

Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Approach

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

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond these regions, additional countries are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.