Australia's bold policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward parallel bans.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," said one European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after being exposed to dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are safe and fit for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide debate continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that states internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
