Australia's decisive action to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a increasing number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield children from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a bill lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a good starting point," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in strong research".
Last year, interest grew behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Fragmented Picture
In the United States, action is largely happening at the local level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise passed measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global bodies take a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this worldwide discussion evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.
