🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and fit for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to mimic Australia's lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, other nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

As this worldwide conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.