The Australian bold move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising number of nations are considering parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged families to restrict their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the step does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," stated the European lawmaker supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "grounded in robust data".
Last year, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some individuals to mimic Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
Even as this global debate evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
