Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban could be "one of the tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to approve a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended families to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a advisory resolution supporting a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said a leading MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and suitable for children," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted laws requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from various figures to copy this example, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are also considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global bodies take a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in safety.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that states around the world are no longer willing to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
