Australia's controversial action to ban social media access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to enact a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in the Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s without parental consent is given. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The UK: A Cautious Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust research".
Previously, momentum grew behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is largely occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
As this global debate evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states globally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
