🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level due to national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

Even as this global discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.