Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". The policy is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have suggested that an similar ban is "an options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," stated the MEP behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any action must be "supported by conclusive research".
Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. One foundation set up by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the local government level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to copy this path, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from these regions, other countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations take a more nuanced tone. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
As this global discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that governments around the world are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
