Australia's decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
The European Movement
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are considering similar measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that smartphones and networks are "taking away our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. Officials have indicated that an similar ban could be "one of the options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended families to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion demanding a ban for under-16s unless parental consent is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the move does not create binding law.
"A clear age barrier is a good first step," said a leading MEP driving the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Eye
In the UK, the administration has remained open to a potential ban, emphasizing that "nothing is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "based on conclusive evidence".
Previously, support grew behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government vowed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity founded by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when users reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the failure of the tech sector to create tools that are appropriate and fit for minors," commented a leading peer.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, action is largely occurring at the state government level amid federal inaction.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has signed a measure banning children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating adult authorization for teenagers to create social media accounts.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from certain figures to follow this example, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, international agencies take a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could backfire". The agency notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to improve safety.
While this global conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to stand by for the industry to self-regulate.
