🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". Legislation could be passed in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their children from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," stated the European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust research".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.

Charities have voiced concerns. A prominent charity set up 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 improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the state level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to mimic the Australian path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.

As this international debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.