Australia's decisive move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring intently to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a rising group of countries are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation may be enacted next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on parliament to approve a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these platforms, the step does not create binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a good first step," stated the MEP supporting the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "based on robust research".
Previously, interest built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. However, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content contends that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build products and services that are safe and fit for young users," commented a influential peer.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, action is largely happening at the local government level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Despite widespread concern and calls from various politicians to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of the West, further countries are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization points out that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to invest in user protection.
Even as this international discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers globally are no longer content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
