The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and families are observing closely to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister arguing that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our children's youth". Legislation could be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has asked lawmakers to approve a bill raising the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has recommended a similar move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in the Netherlands has advised families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s except if parental consent is provided. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not create binding law.
"A strong age restriction is a good foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker driving the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the leadership has kept open a potential ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "supported by robust evidence".
Earlier, interest grew behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the issue.
Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of exposure when young people reach the legal age.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to design tools that are appropriate and fit for young users," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
America: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, legislation is mostly happening at the local level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use needing a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted bills demanding guardian approval for minors to create social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from various individuals to copy the Australian path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from these regions, additional nations are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.
But, international bodies strike a more measured position. A major UN agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "could have unintended consequences". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that regulation should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve user protection.
As this global conversation unfolds, the policies of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
