Australia's controversial action to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and parents are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a law increasing the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a related step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended guardians to restrict their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a advisory statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the step does not create mandatory rules.
"An effective age barrier is a solid foundation," said one parliamentarian supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Stance
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".
Last year, support grew behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to further research the matter.
Charities have expressed concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"This ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are secure and fit for children," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly happening at the state level due to federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed laws demanding adult authorization for minors to open social media presences.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some individuals to copy the Australian path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Outside of the West, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies adopt a more nuanced position. Unicef has advised that social media bans have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The body highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this international conversation evolves, the policies of this nation and its followers indicate that governments globally are less and less content to wait for tech companies to self-regulate.
