The Australian decisive policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to approve a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good foundation," said the parliamentarian behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a prominent peer.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations take a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries show that governments globally are no longer content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
