🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an options under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to enact a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," said the European lawmaker driving the measure.

Britain: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".

Earlier, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to further research the topic.

Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state government level amid country-wide gridlock.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access requiring a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some figures to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

However, international organizations take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

As this global debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.