The Australian controversial action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a growing number of countries are considering comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation may be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".
Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the state level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from some figures to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, additional nations are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations adopt a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
While this worldwide discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
