Australia's controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Trend
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our children's innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the age and identity of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an similar ban is "a potential tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has urged parliament to pass a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion calling for a ban for under-16s without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," commented the MEP driving the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust data".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. However, the administration pledged to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for young users," stated a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and suggestions from some individuals to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more cautious position. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization highlights that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to improve user protection.
Even as this international conversation evolves, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that governments globally are no longer prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
