The Australian bold move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing group of countries are considering parallel measures.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that smartphones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". The policy could be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to approve a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these apps, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said the MEP supporting the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the family of a young person who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material argues that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, legislation is primarily unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional access needing parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
International Views
Apart from these regions, further states are also taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, world agencies strike a more measured stance. The UN children's agency has warned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might backfire". The agency notes that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this global debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that governments around the world are no longer prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
