The nation's bold action to restrict social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing number of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "an options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has advised parents to block their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a useful starting point," said one parliamentarian behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually modified. Instead, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing dangerous platform posts suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for young users," commented a influential child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, legislation is mostly happening at the regional level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law capping teenagers to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws demanding adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to follow the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond the West, further countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
Even as this worldwide conversation evolves, the steps of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are less and less prepared to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
