Will Additional Countries Follow Australia's in Prohibiting Social Media for Teenagers Under 16?

Australia's bold action to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.

European Trend

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel restrictions.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized next year.
• Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
• The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has urged parliament to pass a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.

For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish binding law.

"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian driving the resolution.

Britain: A Cautious Stance

Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust data".

Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.

Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," commented a leading peer.

America: A State-by-State Picture

Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the local level amid national gridlock.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
• The state of Florida has enacted a law banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
• Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws mandating guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.

Despite widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.

Global Outlook

Apart from the West, other states are likewise exploring options.

• Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

Yet, global organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.

While this global discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and others indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.