The Australian decisive action to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this approach will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a growing number of nations are exploring similar measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". A law could be formalized in the coming year.
- Norway is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to verify the user details of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has asked the legislature to enact a bill raising the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a comparable step, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their youngsters from social media before 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the step does not establish binding law.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," commented one European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "supported by conclusive data".
Previously, interest built behind a proposal to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. One foundation established by the relatives of a teenager who took her own life after viewing disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are secure and suitable for young users," stated a leading online safety campaigner.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
Across America, legislation is primarily occurring at the local government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- The state of Florida has passed a bill banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring guardian approval for teenagers to open social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to follow this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as improbable.
International Views
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, global organizations take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize safety.
While this global discussion unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries indicate that states around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
