Australia's decisive move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward similar measures.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is provided. Although it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a good first step," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "supported by strong evidence".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to further research the issue.
Charities have voiced concerns. An organization founded by the relatives of a young person who died after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent peer.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning children under fourteen from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to follow this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Apart from the West, further states are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.
However, international organizations take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for isolated youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in child safeguards.
While this worldwide debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and its followers indicate that states around the world are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
