Australia's decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward parallel bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and networks are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation may be passed soon.
- Norway is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated one parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are secure and fit for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is largely happening at the regional government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a law limiting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Beyond the West, other states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies take a more cautious tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers show that policymakers around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
