🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a rising group of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be passed soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," commented one MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a influential peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is largely happening at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.

• Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to open social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

While this international discussion unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.