🔗 Share this article

The Australian decisive move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' innocence". Legislation could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a solid starting point," commented a leading MEP supporting the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive data".

Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for young users," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
• Florida has passed a law banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed laws requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond these regions, further countries are likewise considering moves.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve user protection.

While this international debate evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.