Australia's decisive move to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to enact a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," said a leading MEP supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "supported by conclusive data".
Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," commented a prominent peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has passed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Outside of the West, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.
While this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that governments globally are less and less content to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
