🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Movement

In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's youth". A law could be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.

"A strong age limit is a useful first step," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

In the UK, the government has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in conclusive research".

Earlier, interest built behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Landscape

In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local level due to federal inaction.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other countries are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international organizations take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this international discussion evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.