🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and networks are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be passed soon.
• Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a law increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on robust data".

Last year, interest built behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who died after viewing harmful online content argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a influential peer.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the state level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations strike a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this global conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.