Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised families to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors unless parental consent is granted. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," stated the European lawmaker driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government committed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond the West, further countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this worldwide conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
