🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," said a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on strong data".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local level amid national stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.

While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of this nation and others show that states internationally are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.