🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a increasing group of states are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier 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 authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Across America, action is mostly happening at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to follow the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Beyond the West, other countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.