Canberra, Australia — In a landmark move, Australia has introduced one of the world’s strictest legislations restricting the use of social media among minors. Slated to be enforced from late 2025, the new regulations will prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and X. However, specific exemptions have been outlined for platforms that provide health and educational services such as YouTube, Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, and Google Classroom.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the safety and mental well-being of young internet users. Australian authorities have initiated a proactive approach to mitigate risks associated with online activities. Starting in January next year, the government will begin testing methods to enforce these rules reliably, with substantial fines of up to $49.5 million imposed on platforms that fail to comply.
These measures highlight a broader, international concern regarding children’s social media usage and data privacy. In Europe, various countries have set different age thresholds for social media use, reflecting diverse approaches to online safety. For instance, Norway recently proposed raising the age at which children can consent to using social media from 13 to 15, although parents can still consent on their behalf. This comes alongside efforts to establish a legal minimum age for social media use, aimed at safeguarding younger populations more effectively.
Furthermore, the European Union mandates parental consent for processing the personal data of children under 16, with flexibility granted to its 27 member states to lower this limit to 13. Meanwhile, in 2023, France implemented a law demanding parental approval for minors under 15 to open social media accounts, although enforcement challenges linger.
In contrast, the United Kingdom has not yet planned restrictions similar to Australia’s. However, its government continues to prioritize online safety, with digital minister Peter Kyle emphasizing the importance of regulating online spaces to protect users. The UK’s Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, underpins efforts to enforce stricter standards on social media platforms regarding age restrictions and safe content practices.
While most nations grapple with finding the right balance between digital innovation and user safety, some, like Germany and Belgium, emphasize enhancing and efficiently implementing existing regulations. Germany requires parental consent for users between 13 and 16 years, whereas Belgium has set a minimum social media account creation age at 13 without parental permission.
Interestingly, The Netherlands does not regulate a minimum age for social media use but has banned mobile devices in classrooms to minimize distractions, effective from January 2024. Exceptions are in place for lessons requiring digital devices and for medical or disability-related needs. Italy, on the other hand, mandates parental consent for children under 14 who wish to create social media accounts.
The different regulatory frameworks across these countries indicate a shared commitment but varied methods toward shielding young internet users from the potential harms of social media interaction. As nations continue to observe and adapt to the effects of these regulations, the outcome of Australia’s strict bans will likely serve as a crucial point of reference in the ongoing dialogue and shaping of global internet safety policies for children.
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