Australia's bold action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising group of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to pass a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful starting point," stated one parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
Across Britain, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong research".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the local government level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures demanding parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from certain individuals to copy this example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this global conversation continues, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
