Australia's bold move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising group of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister declaring that phones and platforms are "taking away our kids' childhood". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised families to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "addictive" design of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age restriction is a good first step," commented the MEP behind the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any decision must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to harmful online content argues that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users become eligible.
"This ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The United States: A Fragmented Picture
Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills mandating guardian approval for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from some politicians to mimic Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Outside of the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations strike a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to improve safety.
As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of this nation and its followers show that governments globally are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
