🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.

"A strong age restriction is a good first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".

Previously, interest grew behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to investigate the topic.

Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on a guardian's okay.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Views

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

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

However, global bodies adopt a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of this nation and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.