Australia's decisive policy to prohibit social platforms access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Officials, campaigners, and parents are monitoring closely to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a growing number of states are considering similar restrictions.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' youth". A law may be enacted soon.
- The Norwegian government is set to introduce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "power of the AI".
- The Irish government is developing a digital wallet to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has asked lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a comparable step, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has urged families to restrict their children from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "habit-forming" quality of these services, the move does not create enforceable legislation.
"An effective age barrier is a good starting point," said the parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The UK: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a future ban, arguing that "no measure is being dismissed" but stressing any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Earlier, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the issue.
Charities have expressed concerns. One foundation established by the family of a girl who was lost after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of risk when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to build products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," said a influential peer.
The US: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is primarily happening at the state level due to country-wide inaction.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with additional use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also introduced measures mandating guardian approval for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and suggestions from various politicians to mimic Australia's example, a nationwide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, other countries are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia intends to restrict social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global bodies strike a more nuanced tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that regulation should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
Even as this global debate evolves, the policies of this nation and several other countries show that governments internationally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
