The Australian bold move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is sparking debate internationally. Officials, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". The policy may be passed next year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory resolution demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without parental consent is granted. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age limit is a good foundation," said one MEP behind the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Eye
In the UK, the administration has kept open a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any policy must be "based on strong evidence".
Earlier, momentum grew behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who died after viewing dangerous online content argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for young users," stated a leading child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Picture
In the United States, legislation is largely occurring at the state level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation restricting under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted bills requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some politicians to follow this example, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, further nations are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "might prove counterproductive". The agency points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others show that governments around the world are less and less prepared to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
