🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

European Momentum

In Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing disturbing online content argues that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a influential child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Approach

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some individuals to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from these regions, additional states are similarly taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.

As this international discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.