🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are considering comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," stated one European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in robust data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is mostly unfolding at the state level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, other nations are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

However, world organizations take a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this international debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.