🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation could be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a solid foundation," stated one MEP supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust research".

Previously, support built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. A prominent charity set up by the family of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens reach the legal age.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A State-by-State Approach

Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global bodies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.

As this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.