Australia's controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a advisory resolution demanding a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust data".
Last year, support gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for minors," stated a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, further countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, world organizations adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans carry risks and "could prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are increasingly prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
