🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

The European Movement

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

• The Danish government has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a law lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.

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

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "based on strong data".

Last year, interest grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to copy this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world bodies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.