🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial policy to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

European Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a good starting point," commented the parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by conclusive research".

Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of national gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to mimic the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, other states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.

As this international conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.