🔗 Share this article

Australia's decisive move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum 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 recommended a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by strong evidence".

Previously, support grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.