🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising number of states are exploring comparable restrictions.

• The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital ID system to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "an tools on the table".
• In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust data".

Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people become eligible.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level due to national stalemate.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• Virginia has approved a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.

Worldwide Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.

But, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this international discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers indicate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.