🔗 Share this article

The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

In Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures under consideration".
• In The Spanish government, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," said a leading MEP behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".

Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.

Charities have expressed concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and fit for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.

The US: A Decentralized Picture

In the United States, legislation is primarily happening at the local level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures demanding guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Worldwide Perspectives

Beyond the West, additional nations are also exploring options.

• Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, international organizations take a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

While this international discussion continues, the policies of Australia and others show that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.