🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust data".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the local government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to follow this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global agencies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that governments globally are less and less content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.