Australia's decisive action to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a good foundation," said one MEP supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. However, the administration committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the local level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain politicians to follow this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world bodies take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
While this international discussion continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
