Recently, the Australian Senate passed a law banning children under the age of 16 from opening accounts on social networks such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X.
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Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s has attracted global attention, and governments around the world are considering implementing similar policies, with the UK likely to be next.
of the Australian Government Internet Security Amendment Act It went into effect on December 10 and included major social media platforms such as Reddit, X. Meta Instagram, Of the alphabet YouTube, Bytedance’s TikTok.
Platforms have been forced to introduce age verification methods to ensure under-16s cannot create accounts, and companies could face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for non-compliance.
Although in teenagers, tech giants and experts mixed reactions since the ban went into effect, governments around the world have been drafting legislation to implement an Australian-style ban.
“This is a global problem and governments everywhere are under pressure to respond,” says Daisy Greenwell, co-founder. UK based smartphone free childhood,” CNBC said. SFC is a grassroots campaign encouraging parents to delay children’s access to smartphones and social media.
“We’re already seeing countries moving in this direction, and more will grow as confidence builds and evidence accumulates. No one thinks the status quo is working for children, parents or society – and that’s one of the most obvious policy responses on the table right now,” added Greenwell.
Other countries considering banning social media for under-16s include the UK, France, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy and Greece.
According to Ravi Iyer, managing director of the Neely Center at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School, the U.S. is unlikely to impose a national ban, a laggard on that front, although there is state and local interest.
Ayer worked closely with a social psychologist Jonathon Haidt He wrote the book “Anxious Generation” about the harmful effects of social media and smartphones on children and teenagers.
“Federal policy is very difficult to predict, but this is one of those bipartisan issues, so it’s certainly possible,” Iyer said in emailed comments.
“I’m confident at the state level and I think we’ll see several states in the U.S. adopt these policies in the next couple of years.”
Legislators California and Texas A ban at the state level is being considered in 2026.
But governments seeking to implement such bans may face opposition from tech giants.
A community-oriented forum following Australia’s move Reddit launched a lawsuit, arguing that the new law went too far by restricting online political discussion. Owner of Facebook and Instagram Meta Canberra has been urged to review the ban. Elon Musk in a statement to users explaining how the restrictions work X “It’s not our choice – it’s what Australian law requires,” he said.
Britain votes to ban social media
Meanwhile, calls for a ban on social media for under-16s in the UK grew rapidly earlier this year. of Great Britain The House of Lords is expected to vote this week to amend the Child Welfare and Schools Bill to include a ban on social media for under-16s.
Greenwell’s launched SFC email campaign More than 100,000 emails have been sent to local UK lawmakers this week. The SFC’s sample email urged the government to set “reasonable, age-appropriate boundaries that protect the welfare of children”.
“We consistently see that the more time kids spend on smartphones and social media, the worse their mental health outcomes are. If these platforms are no longer available, the network effects decline and young people can reconnect with each other and the real world,” Greenwell told CNBC.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer even backed the idea that “we need to better protect children from social media” and said he was investigating Australia’s ban.
“All options are on the table in terms of what other safeguards we can put in place around under-16s on social media, or what I’m very concerned about, the under-fives and screen time,” Starmer said last week.
“Kids are turning four in reception (first year of school) because they spend too much screen time,” he added.
Meanwhile, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting The Troubled Generation author asked Haidt to address officials at an event calling for restrictions on youth.
France is also a strong contender, as it debates two bills, one in favor French President Emmanuel Macronto prevent under-15s from accessing social media, France24 reported last week. French public health organization ANSES notes that the negative effects of social media are “numerous” and well documented.
According to USC’s Iyer, if youth bans become the global norm, it will ease the pressure on young people to self-police.
“One of the main goals of the law is to change the norm so that teenagers don’t feel pressured to use social media because all their friends are doing it,” Iyer said.
“If you think all your friends are using a certain platform, staying away isn’t really a realistic choice. If we could solve this problem and get more teenagers off social media, we’d be doing a lot of good,” he added.