Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are observing intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising group of nations are considering comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" quality of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the local government level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain figures to copy Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional nations are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
While this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers show that states around the world are no longer willing to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.
