Australia's decisive move to ban social networking access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are observing intently to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
The European Movement
In Europe, a growing group of nations are considering similar measures.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to confirm the identity and age of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "an tools on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to approve a bill increasing the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" design of these services, the move does not create binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a good starting point," said one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "supported by conclusive research".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Charities have voiced warnings. One foundation established by the family of a young person who was lost after viewing dangerous online content suggests that a strict age ban might not protect children and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design tools that are secure and fit for minors," said a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, legislation is largely happening at the local level due to national inaction.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from some politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of the West, further states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, international organizations strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
While this global discussion continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are no longer willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
