Australia's bold move to prohibit social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of states are considering similar bans.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". A law may be passed next year.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked the legislature to enact a bill lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has recommended a related step, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has approved a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a useful foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to enact restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced concerns. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful social media material contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build tools that are secure and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, legislation is largely unfolding at the regional level amid country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls overnight use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed bills demanding guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Beyond Europe and the US, additional nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies take a more nuanced stance. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this global discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that states internationally are less and less content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
