🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum 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 related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," stated a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is primarily happening at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, other states are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states internationally are increasingly willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.