🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Outside of the West, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this international debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and others indicate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.