🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to pass a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

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

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, action is largely unfolding at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time needing a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to copy this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further nations are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.

While this global discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.