🔗 Share this article

Australia's decisive move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended parents to block their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a good first step," commented the MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state level due to country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, further states are likewise exploring options.

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

However, global bodies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.