Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising number of nations are considering comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our children's childhood". A law could be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a proposal raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a good foundation," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in robust evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Charities have voiced concerns. An organization established by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the regional government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various figures to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from these regions, other states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve user protection.
While this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states internationally are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
