🔗 Share this article

The nation's decisive action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our children's youth". The policy is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to pass a bill increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.

"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

Across Britain, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users become eligible.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Decentralized Landscape

In the United States, action is primarily happening at the state government level due to federal gridlock.

• The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has enacted a law capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time needing adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Views

Outside of the West, further countries are similarly taking action.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, world organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could backfire". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this global debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.