🔗 Share this article

The nation's bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.

Across Europe Trend

Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of nations are considering similar measures.

• Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
• Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the algorithms".
• Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
• In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
• In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a comparable action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
• The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.

Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a advisory motion supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not enact binding law.

"A strong age barrier is a solid starting point," stated one parliamentarian behind the initiative.

The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye

In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by strong data".

Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users turn 16.

"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.

The United States: A Decentralized Picture

Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
• Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring parental permission.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media accounts.

Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some figures to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.

International Views

Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies adopt a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.

Even as this global debate continues, the steps of this nation and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.