🔗 Share this article

The Australian controversial action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

Across Europe Momentum

Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.

• Denmark plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
• The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their children from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," said the MEP supporting the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach

Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".

Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Stateside, action is primarily happening at the regional level amid country-wide stalemate.

• Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to mimic the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Perspectives

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are also taking action.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.

But, world organizations adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.