The Australian bold action to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy could be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to shield young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to approve a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has suggested a similar move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," stated one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has remained open to a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, momentum built behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed concerns. An organization set up by the family of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are appropriate and fit for young users," said a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the regional level against a backdrop of country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further use needing parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced bills mandating guardian approval for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and calls from various figures to copy Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies adopt a more nuanced position. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
While this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are less and less willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
