🔗 Share this article

Australia's controversial move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Across Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
• The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.

For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.

"An effective age barrier is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian supporting the measure.

The UK: A Watchful Stance

Across Britain, the government has remained open to a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust research".

Earlier, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the matter.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent peer.

The US: A Fragmented Landscape

In the United States, legislation is largely happening at the regional level amid federal gridlock.

• Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
• Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media profiles.

Despite bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.

Global Views

Beyond the West, further states are similarly exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
• Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

Yet, world organizations take a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in safety.

Even as this international conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and others indicate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.