🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," said one European lawmaker supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong data".

Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization set up by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily occurring at the state level amid federal inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Apart from the West, further states are likewise taking action.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world bodies take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global conversation unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.