🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring similar measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to pass a law raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age limit is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

However, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.

As this global debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.