The Australian decisive policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for the rest of the world.
The European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a growing chorus of nations are moving toward similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our children's innocence". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has urged parents to block their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid starting point," commented the MEP behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design products and services that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a bill barring children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has enacted a rule restricting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also enacted measures mandating parental consent for minors to set up social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of these regions, additional countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this international debate unfolds, the steps of Australia and its followers demonstrate that states globally are increasingly content to stand by for platforms to act voluntarily.
