Australia's bold action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and families are watching intently to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing number of nations are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law may be formalized next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to approve a law lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is granted. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a solid foundation," said the MEP driving the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to investigate the topic.
Charities have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the family of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for young users," commented a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, action is primarily unfolding at the state government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills mandating guardian approval for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain figures to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, further nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
As this international discussion continues, the steps of Australia and its followers indicate that states around the world are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
