Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of nations are considering similar measures.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "taking away our children's innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a law raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related move, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," commented the MEP behind the initiative.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the government has remained open to a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing disturbing online content argues that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
Stateside, regulation is primarily unfolding at the state government level due to federal inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed bills demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from certain politicians to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Outside of the West, other countries are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies take a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states internationally are no longer content to stand by for tech companies to self-regulate.
