🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of countries are considering similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to pass a bill increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on strong data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.

Charities have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of the West, other nations are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies strike a more measured position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.