The Australian controversial move to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader declaring that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our youngsters' youth". Legislation may be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban could be "an tools in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a related action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory resolution calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," said one MEP behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the administration has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "supported by robust research".
Last year, momentum gathered behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Nonetheless, the administration committed to conduct more studies the topic.
Advocacy groups have raised concerns. A prominent charity established by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts argues that a simple age ban could fail to improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the tech sector to build platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for children," said a leading child protection advocate.
America: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, action is mostly happening at the state government level due to federal gridlock.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media time per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Even with widespread concern and calls from some politicians to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Worldwide Views
Outside of the West, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for under-16s effective next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies take a more cautious position. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "might prove counterproductive". The agency notes that the internet can be a "critical link" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to invest in safety.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the actions of Australia and others demonstrate that states internationally are less and less content to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
