The Australian decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, campaigners, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that smartphones and platforms are "robbing our kids' youth". The policy may be enacted soon.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. The media minister have suggested that an Australian-model ban remains "one of the options in reserve".
- In Spain, the leader has called on the legislature to pass a law raising the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a comparable action, alongside an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in The Dutch government has urged families to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has passed a symbolic statement demanding a ban for teenagers under 16 without guardian approval is given. While it cautions of the "habit-forming" design of these apps, the move does not establish binding law.
"A clear age limit is a solid foundation," commented a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the administration has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any decision must be "supported by strong research".
Last year, support grew behind a proposal to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content suggests that a strict age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of risk when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to design platforms and apps that are safe and fit for young users," commented a prominent peer.
America: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, regulation is primarily unfolding at the regional government level against a backdrop of federal gridlock.
- Utah mandates parental consent for those under 18 to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill prohibiting those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has enacted a rule capping minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with extra access needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise introduced measures requiring parental consent for minors to create social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from some figures to copy the Australian example, a federal ban is currently seen as improbable.
Global Perspectives
Beyond the West, other countries are likewise taking action.
- The Malaysian government aims to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for one major platform to 16.
But, international agencies strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
While this worldwide debate unfolds, the policies of Australia and its followers show that governments around the world are less and less content to wait for the industry to self-regulate.
