🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are exploring parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the topic.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level amid country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Global Outlook

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, international bodies strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could backfire". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.