Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are watching intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a proposal raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Even though it cautions of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a useful first step," stated the MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the family of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from some politicians to copy this path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Beyond these regions, additional states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
