🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing group of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "an measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to approve a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a good foundation," said the MEP behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Last year, interest built behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to investigate the issue.

Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level amid federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Views

Apart from the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

As this global conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and others show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.