The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward comparable measures.
- The Danish government has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation could be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors without guardian approval is provided. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful starting point," stated the European lawmaker supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
Across Britain, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong evidence".
Last year, momentum grew behind a proposal to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to disturbing platform posts argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, legislation is largely happening at the local level amid country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
International Views
Beyond these regions, other countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and its followers show that governments globally are less and less willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
