🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Movement

In Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring similar restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be formalized soon.
• The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "power of the AI".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the options under consideration".
• In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
• The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one parliamentarian driving the measure.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong evidence".

Earlier, support grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.

Campaign organizations have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and fit for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional level due to national inaction.

• Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits late-night use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has enacted a law restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite bipartisan support and calls from some figures to follow Australia's example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Views

Beyond these regions, additional countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.

But, world agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.

Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.