🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," said a leading parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain individuals to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

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

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might backfire". The body notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

As this international discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and others show that states globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.