Australia's bold action to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". The policy could be passed next year.
- Norway is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "a potential tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is granted. Although it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a useful starting point," said one parliamentarian behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level due to federal inaction.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from the West, further nations are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations take a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve user protection.
Even as this worldwide debate unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
