Australia's bold policy to ban social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are watching closely to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
The European Trend
Throughout Europe, a rising group of states are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our children's innocence". The policy may be enacted in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard the young from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is introducing a digital ID system to authenticate the user details of social media users. Officials have suggested that an similar ban remains "a potential measures on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on parliament to pass a law increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a comparable step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has recommended parents to prevent their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has passed a symbolic resolution supporting a ban for minors without parental consent is given. Although it warns of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not enact binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a good foundation," stated a leading European lawmaker supporting the measure.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "based on conclusive research".
Earlier, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government committed to further research the topic.
Charities have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a girl who was lost after viewing harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a reaction to the refusal of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," commented a influential online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Across America, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law banning under-14s from joining social media, though it is subject to constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with additional time requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed measures requiring adult authorization for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from some figures to copy Australia's path, a nationwide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the minimum age for one major platform to 16.
But, global organizations take a more cautious stance. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "could have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in safety.
As this worldwide debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that policymakers globally are less and less content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.
