Australia's controversial policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law could be formalized soon.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to implement a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to confirm the user details of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding motion demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a solid starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust evidence".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the family of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a strict age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Across America, regulation is largely occurring at the state government level amid country-wide inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further access requiring adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted bills requiring parental consent for under-16s to set up social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and calls from some politicians to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.
- The Malaysian government intends to restrict social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
