The Australian controversial action to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate internationally. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this tactic will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a rising chorus of nations are exploring similar restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that phones and networks are "stealing our kids' childhood". A law is expected to be enacted soon.
- Norway is set to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the user details of social media users. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban remains "an measures on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a bill increasing the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has recommended a related move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution demanding a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is granted. Although it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a useful foundation," commented one European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust evidence".
Last year, support built behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential child protection advocate.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is mostly occurring at the local government level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has passed a law barring those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has approved a law capping under-16s to one hour of social media use per day, with any further use requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly enacted measures requiring parental consent for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from certain individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a federal ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond these regions, additional countries are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize child safeguards.
While this worldwide conversation evolves, the actions of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers around the world are less and less content to stand by for the industry to act voluntarily.
