Australia's controversial action to prohibit social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising number of states are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' youth". A law may be passed soon.
- Norway is planning to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has urged parliament to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged guardians to prevent their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors unless guardian approval is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" design of these platforms, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," commented one MEP driving the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but stressing any action must be "grounded in strong data".
Previously, momentum built behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Campaign organizations have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the relatives of a young person who was lost after encountering harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the inability of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, regulation is mostly occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on parental permission.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws demanding parental consent for minors to create social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some politicians to mimic this lead, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has lifted the access age for Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this international conversation evolves, the policies of Australia and its followers demonstrate that governments around the world are less and less prepared to delay for platforms to self-regulate.
