🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of nations are considering parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law may be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"An effective age limit is a solid first step," commented a leading MEP driving the resolution.

Britain: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong research".

Previously, support gathered behind a bill to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A State-by-State Landscape

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

• Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Outlook

Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and others show that states globally are less and less willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.