🔗 Share this article

Australia's decisive action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be passed soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked parliament to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are increasingly willing to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.