🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar measures.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.

"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the initiative.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the regional government level against a backdrop of national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and proposals from various politicians to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

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

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries indicate that states around the world are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to self-regulate.