🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Momentum

In Europe, a increasing number of states are considering parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," commented the MEP driving the measure.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong evidence".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, action is largely occurring at the regional government level due to national inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Outlook

Outside of these regions, additional nations are likewise considering moves.

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

Yet, global organizations take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.