Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that phones and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". A law is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended families to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," commented the MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. However, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a law banning children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond the West, further countries are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies take a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
While this global debate unfolds, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
