🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are moving toward parallel measures.

• The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". A law is expected to be passed soon.
• Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the AI".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has called on the legislature to pass a law lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these platforms, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.

"A strong age limit is a solid first step," said one MEP driving the resolution.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

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

Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to further research the topic.

Charities have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous online content argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," said a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national inaction.

• The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
• Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.

Global Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies take a more measured position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.

Even as this international debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.