Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a useful first step," stated the European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".
Last year, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when teens turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and fit for minors," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Beyond these regions, other states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world agencies strike a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve user protection.
Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
