Australia's decisive policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are observing with great interest to see if this approach will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Trend
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are considering parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that phones and platforms are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation may be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to shield children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital ID system to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential options under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the president has called on lawmakers to approve a law increasing the legal age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s except if a parent decides otherwise is given. While it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not establish binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a good first step," commented one parliamentarian driving the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "based on robust research".
Last year, interest gathered behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately weakened. Instead, the administration pledged to further research the topic.
Charities have expressed warnings. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are appropriate and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is largely happening at the local level amid federal stalemate.
- Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting teenagers to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and proposals from certain figures to mimic Australia's path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are likewise taking action.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even backfire". The agency points out that social networks can be a "lifeline" for isolated young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve child safeguards.
As this international debate continues, the policies of this nation and its followers show that states around the world are less and less content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
