Australia's bold move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Trend
In Europe, a increasing number of countries are considering comparable bans.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "an measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to enact a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a related action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," said the MEP behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive research".
Last year, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who died after being exposed to disturbing online content argues that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is mostly happening at the local level amid country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world organizations take a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this worldwide debate continues, the actions of Australia and others indicate that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
