🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be enacted soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," commented the MEP behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, support built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to build products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid national stalemate.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from various politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond the West, additional states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international agencies take a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.