Australia's controversial move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be enacted soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a similar action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," commented one parliamentarian driving the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, interest built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies adopt a more measured stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
As this global conversation evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states internationally are no longer willing to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
