🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.

European Trend

Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering parallel measures.

• Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
• Norway is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential tools under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the resolution.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".

Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a bill banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media profiles.

Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Outside of these regions, further nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.