Australia's controversial move to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, safety advocates, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are considering comparable bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation could be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the step does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the MEP supporting the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
Across Britain, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust data".
Previously, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization established by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when users become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a prominent peer.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, legislation is primarily unfolding at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating adult authorization for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to mimic this example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond the West, other nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies take a more measured tone. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "could backfire". The body points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are no longer willing to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
