🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold policy to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel bans.

• The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". Legislation may be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "a potential measures under consideration".
• In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their children from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement supporting a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," stated one MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach

In the UK, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong evidence".

Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration pledged to further research the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.

"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," stated a prominent child protection advocate.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
• The state of Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further countries are also considering moves.

• The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, global agencies take a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in user protection.

While this global conversation unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that states around the world are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.