🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal increasing the minimum age for using 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, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," stated one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong data".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who died after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from certain figures to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

Even as this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.