The Australian bold policy to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a increasing chorus of nations are moving toward comparable restrictions.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the prime minister declaring that phones and apps are "taking away our youngsters' childhood". A law may be enacted soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "power of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. Authorities have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to approve a proposal lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In The French government, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Dutch government has recommended families to block their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding statement calling for a ban for minors except if parental consent is provided. While it warns of the "addictive" nature of these apps, the step does not establish enforceable legislation.
"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," commented the European lawmaker driving the resolution.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the administration has kept open a future ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Previously, interest gathered behind a bill to introduce controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"This ban is a answer to the failure of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," said a influential peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Picture
Across America, legislation is primarily happening at the local level due to federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a law prohibiting those below 14 from joining social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a regulation limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with additional use requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
Worldwide Perspectives
Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies adopt a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that blanket prohibitions have downsides and "could prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
As this international discussion evolves, the steps of the Australian government and several other countries show that governments internationally are less and less willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
