The Australian decisive action to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted soon.
- Norway is set to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is granted. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a useful first step," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration vowed to further research the issue.
Charities have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a prominent peer.
America: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, regulation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
While this international debate unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less content to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
