🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of states are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". The policy could be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.

"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," stated one MEP supporting the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, regulation is largely unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, further states are similarly considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

While this global debate evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.