Core Viewpoint - The global discussion on digital health for youth is intensifying, with several countries implementing stricter regulations on social media usage among minors to create a safer digital environment [1] Group 1: Australia - Australia has enacted a social media ban for individuals under 16, effective December 10, 2025, making it the first country to legislate such a minimum age requirement [2] - The law mandates that major social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, must take "reasonable measures" to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts, with non-compliance resulting in fines up to approximately AUD 49.5 million [2] - A study revealed that 96% of Australian youth aged 10 to 15 use social media, with 70% encountering harmful content and over half experiencing cyberbullying [3] - Public support for the ban is high, with 73% of respondents in favor, and initial measures have led to the suspension of around 200,000 accounts on TikTok [3] - The ban has reportedly reduced online pressure for many families and has led to positive changes in youth behavior, such as increased time spent on reading and physical activities [3] Group 2: Denmark - Denmark has reached an agreement to prohibit social media use for children under 15, with specific provisions allowing 13-year-olds to access certain platforms with parental consent [5] - The initiative aims to raise the age threshold for first-time social media use and enhance the safety of digital products [5] - Currently, 94% of Danish children have social media accounts before age 13, with over half of children under 10 having accounts [5] - The Danish government plans to allocate DKK 160 million to implement 14 measures aimed at improving digital safety for minors [6] Group 3: Malaysia - Malaysia will ban individuals under 16 from registering or using social media accounts independently starting January 1, 2026, requiring parental supervision for access [7] - The country has approximately 33.1 million active social media users, with around 10.6 million being under 18 [7] - A significant portion of minors reportedly spends 1 to 4 hours online daily, with rising concerns about internet addiction and mental health risks [8] - The Malaysian government has allocated MYR 32 million in the 2026 budget to combat online fraud and child exploitation, alongside developing regulations to ensure age verification on social media platforms [8]
一些国家探索“收紧”未成年人使用社交媒体(国际视点)
Ren Min Ri Bao·2026-01-13 00:49