Australia's decisive policy to restrict social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "one of the measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised parents to restrict their children from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good foundation," commented the MEP behind the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in strong data".
Earlier, interest built behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who took her own life after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to build tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the state level amid federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for minors to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various individuals to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Outlook
Beyond these regions, additional states are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The body points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in safety.
Even as this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments internationally are no longer content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
