Kids Social Media Ban in Europe – The right approach, Australia could learn from

While Australia is reported as being a world leader after introducing legislation to ban kids under 16 from Social Media and today there are reports the European Union is “following suit” with it’s own ban. However on closer inspection, the phrase never let the facts get in the way of a good story springs to mind.

Firstly, the European Union’s Parliament voted on a “resolution” – which is like saying “here’s what we think” but with no binding consequences at all.

The vote was strong, with 483 votes in favour, just 92 against alone with 86 who abstained from voting.

What they voted for was a resolution to “call for” an EU-Wide ban on access for kids under 16 to online platforms, video sharing sites and AI Companions.

But unlike Australia’s harsh legislation, there’s a big, no huge different in what has been proposed in Europe.

The EU resolves that there be an outright ban for kids under 13. Kids under 16 should be banned unless they have parental consent.

That’s an idea that lets parents be parents, while also letting kids be kids.

It’s perfection as far as a potential legislation. While I could care less about some influencer family moving out of Australia because they’re monetising their kids and see Australia’s law as harming that. But what I do care about is parents who choose to take an active role in their kids online lives, by not just adding them as “friends” but also connecting their kids account to their own parental account on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

For what it’s worth, the EU’s vote means little – it’s not binding in any way. It now requires the individual member countries to act and legislate, which I’ve no doubt some will.

Interesting times.