The Australian controversial action to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Officials, campaigners, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Across Europe, a increasing number of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has urged the legislature to enact a bill lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related move, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged parents to block their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding statement supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is granted. Although it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a solid starting point," commented one European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in conclusive data".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. However, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed warnings. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing disturbing platform posts contends that a strict age ban could fail to protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of harm when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create tools that are safe and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent peer.
America: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, legislation is largely unfolding at the state government level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a law limiting minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with any further time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to copy this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Perspectives
Beyond the West, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global bodies strike a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are no longer willing to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
