🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust data".

Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily happening at the local level amid federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Views

Beyond Europe and the US, other nations are likewise taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in safety.

While this international discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.