The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill increasing the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," said a leading European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust data".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. A prominent charity set up by the family of a girl who was lost after viewing dangerous online content contends that a simple age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the state government level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with extra access requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from certain figures to mimic this lead, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, world agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
As this worldwide debate continues, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for the industry to act voluntarily.
