Australia's controversial move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "robbing our kids' childhood". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "an measures on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged parliament to enact a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a good first step," commented the MEP driving the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Previously, support gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful platform posts argues that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to follow this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, other countries are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international bodies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
