Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy could be formalized soon.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on the legislature to enact a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a influential peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level due to national stalemate.
- Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to mimic Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Perspectives
Outside of the West, further states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, world bodies take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and others show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
