Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
Across Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged the legislature to pass a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age restriction is a solid first step," stated a leading parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the government has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a strict age ban may not protect children and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and suitable for children," stated a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of these regions, further states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
Even as this global discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and its followers show that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
