Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Trend
In Europe, a rising number of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A strong age restriction is a solid foundation," said a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on strong data".
Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," stated a leading peer.
America: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, action is primarily occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from various figures to follow this path, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further nations are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
As this international conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
