🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold action to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and networks are "robbing our children's childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
• Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The administration in the Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not create binding law.

"A clear age limit is a good first step," commented a leading MEP driving the initiative.

The UK: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".

Earlier, support built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to investigate the matter.

Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who died after encountering harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," stated a prominent peer.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the local government level due to country-wide stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
• Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.

International Views

Beyond these regions, further countries are also considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has increased the required age for Instagram to 16.

However, international bodies strike a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.

While this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that states internationally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.