🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive move to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

European Movement

In Europe, a increasing group of countries are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on strong evidence".

Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A State-by-State Picture

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

• Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various individuals to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

However, global agencies adopt a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.

Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.