Australia's controversial move to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing number of states are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban remains "an measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged families to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a solid first step," stated the European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by strong data".
Earlier, momentum built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the government vowed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after viewing dangerous online content contends that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, regulation is largely happening at the regional level amid national stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Apart from these regions, further countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve safety.
While this global conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
