🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing group of countries are exploring similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures in reserve".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a law raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the move does not enact binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in robust research".

Earlier, interest grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to further research the matter.

Charities have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading peer.

The US: A Decentralized Landscape

Across America, action is largely happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain individuals to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Outlook

Beyond these regions, further countries are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations strike a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.

While this international discussion continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer content to wait for platforms to act voluntarily.