🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are exploring comparable bans.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be passed soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful foundation," commented a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a influential peer.

America: A Fragmented Approach

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to national gridlock.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Apart from these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

While this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that states internationally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.