🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are exploring comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
• The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "an options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to enact a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," stated the parliamentarian behind the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "based on strong data".

Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and fit for children," commented a leading peer.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the local level amid national inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• The state of Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond these regions, additional nations are also taking action.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

But, world bodies strike a more measured position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.