🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" design of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," stated one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government pledged to further research the issue.

Charities have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Approach

Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, global bodies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

As this global debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that states globally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.