🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," said the MEP supporting the resolution.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this global conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments globally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.