Australia's decisive move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Movement
In Europe, a rising group of states are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' youth". A law could be enacted soon.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban remains "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a solid first step," commented one European lawmaker driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any action must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to copy Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Beyond the West, additional countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
As this international debate evolves, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
