The growing consciousness of possible harm from social media to youth has encouraged several countries to adopt strict regulations or a complete ban on the use of social networks for children. This article aims to focus on different approaches taken by various nations, with a special look at Australia, which has just passed one of the strictest laws in the world.
Australia’s landmark legislation
Australia, on November 28, 2024, became the first country in the world to implement a wholesale ban against social media companies for allowing any child below the age of 16 years to access their platforms. The new laws require major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to ban minors from using their services or pay multi-million-dollar fines up to AUD 49.5 million, approximately USD 32 million for non-compliance. That landmark legislation is a response to growing concerns over the adverse impact that social media has on the mental health of children, with issues such as cyberbullying and anxiety.
The Australian government gave one year’s grace for the introduction of age verification systems into social media companies. “It is a big push into child protection given the dangers of social media use”, says the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential infringements on children’s rights and the possibility of creating black markets for social media accounts.
European countries approaches
Many European countries have taken steps in recent years to restrict children’s access to social networks, though mostly less strictly:
- Norway: The government is proposing an increase in the minimum age that a child can give consent to the terms offered by social media from 13 to 15. Pending the passage of the proposed measure, parents could still approve access for younger children.
- France: Legislation makes it mandatory for children below 15 years to obtain parental consent before creating social media accounts. This law was passed in 2023 and has experienced delays in technical implementation. Moreover, there are proposals to ban mobile phones for all children under 11 and internet-connected gadgets for those below 13 years.
- Germany: Children between the age of 13 and 16 years are allowed to use social media only with parental permission, though at present, there is no plan to tighten such rules. Child protection advocates called for greater enforcement of the existing rules.
- Belgium: Belgium has a minimum age of 13 years, where it is prohibited to create social network profiles without parental permission. This is based on a 2018 law focused on protecting minors from the inappropriate use of the internet.
- Italy: In Italy, children under 14 must obtain parental consent before creating social media accounts. Once they turn 14, they can register without such permission.
- Netherlands: The country does not have a minimum age limit that bans the usage of social media, but this government intends to ban the use of mobile phones in classrooms from January 2024, so that the children do not get distracted at school.
Global context and future implications
And now, this fresh Australian legislation might just be the bellwether other nations follow in their anxieties over the welfare of children on the internet. Something happens in one country, and that in turn influences policies elsewhere, since the large social media platforms are global in operation. More regulation to protect kids is possible in other countries that continue to study what happens with social media and youth.
Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, are keeping their options open but have not imposed controls thus far as Australia has. “We are looking at all options,” said Digital Minister Peter Kyle, “All options are on the table” as part of ongoing inquiries into the impact of smartphone and social media use among children.
As these regulations continue to develop, finding a balance between the protection of children and freedom of expression with access to information will no doubt remain important. Their ban will no doubt be closely watched as it is implemented and may start encouraging similar actions worldwide.
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