🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward similar measures.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our kids' innocence". The policy may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a good first step," stated the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and fit for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the regional level amid federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this example, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Beyond Europe and the US, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations adopt a more measured position. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and others show that governments internationally are less and less prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.