The Australian controversial policy to restrict social media access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
In Europe, a growing chorus of states are considering similar measures.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "stealing our children's childhood". A law may be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if guardian approval is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," stated the parliamentarian supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
Across Britain, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".
Previously, momentum built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and fit for minors," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, legislation is largely occurring at the local level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted bills demanding adult authorization for minors to create social media presences.
Despite bipartisan support and proposals from various individuals to mimic this path, a federal ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Apart from the West, other nations are also considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "might backfire". The organization notes that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.
As this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to stand by for platforms to self-regulate.
