🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.

The European Trend

Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a proposal lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if guardian approval is granted. Although it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age barrier is a useful first step," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Eye

In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a girl who died after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when users reach the legal age.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent peer.

America: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state government level due to federal stalemate.

• Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various figures to mimic this example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Apart from these regions, further nations are likewise taking action.

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

However, world organizations take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.

As this worldwide discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.