The Australian bold action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing group of states are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". A law is expected to be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "addictive" design of these apps, the move does not create binding law.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," stated the parliamentarian driving the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are safe and suitable for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to copy the Australian example, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Outside of these regions, other nations are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies take a more cautious position. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and others indicate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
