🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law may be enacted in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age limit is a useful first step," commented the MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".

Earlier, support built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful online content contends that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," stated a influential online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the state level amid country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• Florida has signed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.