Social media bans go global: big tech faces a reckoning after Australia’s crackdown
Summary
Australia started a ban on social media use for children under 16 in December, which has inspired other countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Britain to introduce similar rules. These bans aim to protect children from harms linked to social media, such as addiction and exposure to dangerous content, while governments worldwide are debating how best to manage children’s use of technology.Key Facts
- Australia banned children under 16 from using social media in December.
- Indonesia and Malaysia have followed with similar bans.
- Britain plans to implement its social media ban for children by early 2027.
- Age limits vary by country: Austria plans to restrict under 14, France sets it at 15, Norway wants to expand its ban from under 13 to under 16.
- Some countries combine social media bans with school rules limiting smartphone use.
- Lawsuits in various countries accuse social media companies of harming children by designing addictive features and not protecting them from harmful content.
- A major court case in California found Meta and YouTube liable for making addictive products that harmed a child.
- Experts say these bans are part of a broader global effort to better understand and manage technology’s impact on children.
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