🔗 Share this article

Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.

The European Trend

In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward parallel bans.

• The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". A law may be passed next year.
• The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
• In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media before 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," commented a leading MEP supporting the initiative.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".

Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people reach the legal age.

"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and suitable for minors," stated a leading online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Landscape

Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the regional government level due to country-wide inaction.

• Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
• Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.

International Views

Beyond these regions, further states are also taking action.

• Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, international agencies adopt a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize safety.

As this international conversation unfolds, the actions of Australia and others indicate that governments internationally are less and less prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.