The Australian bold move to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing group of states are moving toward comparable bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's childhood". The policy may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a solid starting point," commented a leading parliamentarian driving the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a proposal to impose controls on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is primarily happening at the regional level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill banning under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws requiring guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from various individuals to follow the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Outside of these regions, additional states are also considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve user protection.
As this international debate evolves, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
