🔗 Share this article

Australia's decisive move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Movement

In Europe, a increasing chorus of states are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," said a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level amid national gridlock.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this international discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.