🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

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

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said one parliamentarian driving the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, action is largely happening at the state level due to national stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted laws demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media presences.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some figures to follow the Australian example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and others show that states around the world are no longer content to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.