The Australian controversial policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing group of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a advisory resolution supporting a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented the MEP behind the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any action must be "based on robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the topic.
Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a leading peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
In the United States, legislation is primarily occurring at the local level against a backdrop of national stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further time needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating adult authorization for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Apart from the West, additional countries are likewise 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, international organizations adopt a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
