The Australian controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring similar bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked lawmakers to enact a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s without parental consent is provided. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said one parliamentarian supporting the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by strong data".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a influential peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, action is primarily unfolding at the state level due to federal gridlock.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with extra time requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies strike a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
While this international debate continues, the steps of the Australian government and its followers show that states around the world are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to act voluntarily.
