Australia's bold move to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a proposal increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a similar action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in the Netherlands has recommended guardians to block their children from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a non-binding motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the move does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a useful foundation," commented one MEP behind the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, emphasizing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "grounded in strong data".
Last year, interest grew behind a proposal to impose limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a young person who died after encountering harmful social media material contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent peer.
The US: A Decentralized Landscape
Across America, legislation is mostly happening at the local government level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional access needing adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted bills demanding parental consent for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from certain individuals to mimic the Australian path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Beyond these regions, further countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, international bodies take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body highlights that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and others show that governments globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to self-regulate.
