Australia's controversial policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing number of nations are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged parliament to enact a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," commented one MEP behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in strong research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level amid country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Beyond the West, other states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
As this worldwide conversation unfolds, the steps of this nation and its followers show that states globally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
