The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising group of countries are considering comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to pass a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said the parliamentarian driving the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government committed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design products and services that are secure and fit for minors," said a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the state government level due to national stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law restricting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra access requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to mimic this lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, global organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
