🔗 Share this article

The nation's controversial action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

The European Movement

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel restrictions.

• The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized next year.
• Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
• The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.

At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not establish binding law.

"A clear age barrier is a useful first step," stated the parliamentarian behind the measure.

The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye

For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong data".

Last year, interest built behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.

Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.

The United States: A State-by-State Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level due to federal inaction.

• Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
• The state of Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
• Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to follow this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.

Global Perspectives

Apart from the West, additional states are also exploring options.

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

However, global agencies take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

While this international debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.