Khaberni - Australia's ban on social media for children under sixteen has gained global attention, and governments around the world are considering implementing similar policies, with the United Kingdom likely being next.
This ban in Australia came into effect on December 10, covering major social media platforms including Reddit, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
These platforms were forced to implement age verification mechanisms to ensure those under sixteen could not create accounts, and companies could face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (32 million US dollars) for non-compliance.
Despite varied reactions from teenagers, technology giants, and experts since the ban's implementation, governments around the world are drafting legislation to implement a similar ban to Australia's, according to a report by "CNBC" reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
Other countries considering a ban on social media for those under sixteen include the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Greece.
The United States lags in this trend, with a national ban unlikely, but there is clear interest at the state and local levels, according to Ravi Iyer, Managing Director of the Neely Center at Marshall College, University of Southern California.
Iyer said in comments via email: "It's very hard to predict federal policy, but it's one of the few issues that enjoys bipartisan support, so it's definitely possible."
He added: "I am more confident at the state level, and I believe we will see some US states enact such policies in the next few years."
Lawmakers in California and Texas are exploring the possibility of implementing a state-level ban in 2026.
However, governments seeking to implement such a ban may face resistance from technology giants.
Following Australia's move, Reddit filed a lawsuit, arguing that the new law overly restricts political discussion online. Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, urged Canberra to reconsider the ban. In a statement to users explaining how the restrictions work, Elon Musk's X platform said: "This is not our choice - this is required by Australian law."
The United Kingdom is gearing up to vote on the ban
Meanwhile, calls to ban social media for those under sixteen have notably increased in the United Kingdom earlier this year.
The British House of Lords is expected to vote this week on an amendment to the Children’s Welfare and Schools Bill to include a ban on social media for those under sixteen.
The "Childhood Without Smartphones" foundation launched an email campaign this week, with over 100,000 messages sent to local legislators in the United Kingdom. The message urged the government to set "reasonable and age-appropriate limits to protect children's wellbeing."
Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of the organization, told "CNBC": "We consistently see that the more time children spend on smartphones and social media, the worse the outcomes on their mental health. If these platforms are no longer available, network effects collapse – and young people can reconnect with each other and with the real world."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the idea, saying: "We need better protection for children from social media," and explained that he was considering Australia’s ban.
France is also a strong contender to be the next country to impose the ban; it is discussing two bills, one supported by French President Emmanuel Macron, to ban social media use for those under fifteen years of age.
Iyer from the University of Southern California said that if banning social media use by teenagers becomes a global standard, it would ease the pressure on youth to regulate themselves.
He added that one of the main goals of the law is to change the standard, so teenagers don’t feel pressured to use social media just because all their friends are doing it.
