The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a rising group of states are considering parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban could be "one of the measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a law raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a related step, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors without guardian approval is given. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," stated the European lawmaker behind the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. An organization established by the family of a young person who died after viewing harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are secure and suitable for minors," said a leading peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is largely happening at the state level amid national stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a rule limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further access dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from various politicians to copy this path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Views
Beyond the West, further states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that states globally are less and less content to delay for platforms to act voluntarily.
