🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring similar restrictions.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age limit is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and fit for young users," stated a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this international discussion evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.