The Australian bold move to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
In Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are moving toward comparable bans.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that phones and networks are "taking away our kids' innocence". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a non-binding statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," commented one European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "based on strong research".
Previously, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and suitable for children," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the state level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra time needing parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Beyond the West, further states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, international organizations adopt a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.
As this global conversation continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are less and less content to stand by for platforms to make changes on their own.
