Australia's controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
In Europe, a increasing group of states are considering similar restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader stating that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' youth". The policy is expected to be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban is "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked parliament to pass a law raising the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic motion supporting a ban for minors unless parental consent is provided. While it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact enforceable legislation.
"An effective age limit is a solid first step," said one MEP behind the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "based on robust research".
Previously, support built behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Instead, the administration committed to investigate the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after encountering dangerous platform posts contends that a blanket age ban could fail to 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 failure of the tech sector to design products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent peer.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has signed a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with additional access dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced bills demanding adult authorization for under-16s to set up social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from certain politicians to follow the Australian example, a federal ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Outside of the West, additional states are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
However, world bodies take a more measured position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
As this international discussion evolves, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that governments around the world are increasingly content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
