Australia's controversial action to prohibit social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are watching closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar measures.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that smartphones and apps are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on robust data".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of harm when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a leading child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring parental consent for minors to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from certain individuals to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Beyond these regions, additional countries are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this international conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that states globally are increasingly content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
