🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Momentum

Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering similar measures.

• Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. While it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the parliamentarian behind the resolution.

The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong data".

Previously, support built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Landscape

Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

Outside of these regions, further countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, international bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve safety.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of Australia and others show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.