The Australian controversial policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and guardians are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". The policy may be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential tools on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged parliament to approve a proposal raising the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Dutch government has advised parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion demanding a ban for minors except if guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a useful foundation," stated one MEP supporting the initiative.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive research".
Earlier, support gathered behind a bill to introduce limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," said a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the regional level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media time per day, with additional time requiring parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise enacted measures demanding parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from some individuals to mimic this lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Beyond the West, further nations are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, global agencies strike a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans have downsides and "might have unintended consequences". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to invest in child safeguards.
As this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of Australia and several other countries demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
