Global Reactions to Australia's Social Media Restrictions on Minors

Australia's recent social media ban for users under 16 is prompting global scrutiny and potential policy shifts in several countries. According to The Guardian, Denmark plans to implement a ban for users under 15, while Norway is introducing a minimum age limit of 15.

Ireland and Spain are also considering similar measures, with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez advocating for a bill to raise the minimum age to 16. France's President Emmanuel Macron has suggested a ban for under-15s, and the Netherlands is advising parents to restrict access until children turn 15.

In the European Union, a non-binding resolution from the European Parliament calls for under-16s to be prohibited from using social media unless parents consent. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Labour government is exploring options but stresses the need for robust evidence before implementing any ban.

In the United States, states like Utah and Florida are enacting their own restrictions, raising concerns about First Amendment rights. Critics, including the Molly Rose Foundation in the UK, argue that such bans may not effectively protect children and could lead to risks once they turn 16.

The Australian ban has also sparked discussions about online gaming, as experts point out that gaming platforms were excluded from the legislation despite similar risks associated with addiction and exposure to harmful content, as noted by BBC.

The Financial Times reports that following the ban, many Australian users have begun flocking to new platforms, suggesting a shift in online engagement among minors. As international interest in the ban grows, it raises critical questions about the balance between child safety and freedom of expression in the digital age.