Australia's decisive action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of states are exploring similar bans.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful starting point," stated the parliamentarian driving the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "based on conclusive data".
Last year, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who died after viewing harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the local level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to follow this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Apart from these regions, other countries are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. Unicef has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
Even as this international discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and others indicate that policymakers around the world are increasingly prepared to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
