🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of countries are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," stated one MEP driving the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".

Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional government level amid national gridlock.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

While this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.