🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable bans.

• The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". A law could be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," commented the MEP driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by strong research".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, action is largely occurring at the state government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Apart from these regions, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, global organizations adopt a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.

While this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that states internationally are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.