The Australian decisive move to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for countries abroad.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a increasing group of countries are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and apps are "stealing our children's innocence". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options in reserve".
- In Spain, the prime minister has asked parliament to enact a bill raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised guardians to block their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has approved a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," commented the MEP supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Approach
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is discarded" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in strong research".
Earlier, interest gathered behind a proposal to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. An organization established by the family of a young person who died after being exposed to harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban could fail to protect children and could lead to a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a response to the inability of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a leading peer.
America: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to federal stalemate.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule capping minors to one hour of social media use per day, with any further access needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills mandating parental consent for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Apart from these regions, other states are likewise exploring options.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, global agencies take a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve safety.
Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the steps of this nation and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to self-regulate.
