Australia's bold policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising number of countries are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be enacted soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised families to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said a leading parliamentarian driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "based on conclusive research".
Last year, interest built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the loved ones of a young person who died after being exposed to dangerous platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and fit for minors," said a influential online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level amid country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to copy the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations adopt a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.
While this global debate continues, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are increasingly willing to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
