Australia's decisive policy to restrict social networking access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are monitoring intently to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a growing number of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media participants. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the measures in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to enact a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the head of state has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended families to block their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory motion demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," commented one MEP driving the initiative.
The UK: A Watchful Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "based on robust research".
Previously, support grew behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to further research the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering harmful platform posts suggests that a strict age ban may not make platforms safer and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and fit for minors," commented a leading online safety campaigner.
The United States: A Fragmented Landscape
Across America, regulation is primarily occurring at the regional level due to country-wide inaction.
- Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from joining social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a law restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional time requiring adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have similarly enacted measures demanding guardian approval for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain politicians to mimic this lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, world bodies take a more cautious stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
While this global debate continues, the steps of this nation and others indicate that policymakers globally are no longer willing to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
