Australia Enforces New Age Restriction
Australia has introduced a strict regulation barring anyone under 16 from creating accounts on major social media platforms. The law makes companies responsible for compliance, with heavy fines for violations. Officials say the measure is designed to protect young people from harmful content and mental health challenges, though experts question how effective age verification will be and whether teenagers might migrate to unregulated online spaces.
Europe Develops Its Own Rules for Minors
Across Europe, governments are also tightening rules around youth access to digital platforms. The European Parliament has recommended a minimum age of 16, while individual countries are crafting their own approaches. Denmark is considering a ban for children under 15, while France, Germany, and Italy continue to require parental consent for younger users. The resulting patchwork of policies reflects a common concern for online safety but produces inconsistent protections across the region.
Challenges Around Privacy and Enforcement
The international push to restrict underage access has prompted debate over privacy and feasibility. Critics argue that age-verification systems could expose sensitive data or be misused, while advocates stress that stronger safeguards are needed to protect children from online harassment and exposure to addictive or harmful content. Governments and tech companies must balance effective child protection with maintaining digital rights and privacy.
