The Australian bold policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' childhood". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban could be "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has recommended parents to block their children from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic statement demanding a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is given. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the resolution does not create mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a solid foundation," said the European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a bill to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. One foundation established by the loved ones of a teenager who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to create platforms and apps that are safe and age appropriate for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the regional government level amid federal inaction.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has passed a law limiting under-16s to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with any further use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures requiring guardian approval for minors to open social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various individuals to copy Australia's path, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Apart from the West, other nations are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for under-16s starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more nuanced tone. Unicef has warned that social media bans pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to prioritize safety.
Even as this worldwide conversation continues, the actions of the Australian government and others demonstrate that governments around the world are no longer willing to stand by for tech companies to make changes on their own.
