Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a solid first step," stated one MEP driving the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive data".
Previously, support gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the family of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous platform posts argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws requiring parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from various figures to copy the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations strike a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The organization notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this international conversation continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
