The Australian controversial move to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an similar ban could be "an measures under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked the legislature to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian behind the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, interest built behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the issue.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization founded by the family of a teenager who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Beyond the West, additional nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, international bodies adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
While this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
