🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," said a leading European lawmaker supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, support grew behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and fit for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to copy this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies take a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

While this international conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less content to delay for platforms to self-regulate.