Australia's controversial action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to enact a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is provided. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful first step," commented the parliamentarian supporting the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful online content contends that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is mostly happening at the state level amid national gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional access needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain politicians to copy Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "may even backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
While this international debate evolves, the steps of this nation and others show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
