Australia's decisive move to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a growing number of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". A law is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have stated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to pass a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" nature of these services, the move does not enact binding law.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on strong data".
Last year, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately watered down. Instead, the government committed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and suitable for young users," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from certain politicians to follow the Australian path, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Perspectives
Outside of these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
As this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments internationally are increasingly content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
