Australia's decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Trend
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of countries are considering similar bans.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM stating that smartphones and networks are "taking away our children's childhood". Legislation may be enacted in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to introduce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media participants. Officials have suggested that an Australian-model ban could be "an tools in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the president has urged lawmakers to pass a bill lifting the minimum age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has proposed a ban for under-15s, and a legislative committee has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in the Netherlands has recommended parents to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion supporting a ban for under-16s except if guardian approval is granted. Although it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these apps, the step does not enact binding law.
"A clear age restriction is a useful first step," commented one parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
Across Britain, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a bill to impose limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end weakened. However, the government pledged to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have raised apprehensions. An organization established by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering disturbing platform posts suggests that a simple age ban might not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the inability of the tech sector to create platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," said a influential peer.
The US: A State-by-State Picture
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the state level due to national stalemate.
- Utah demands adult approval for those under 18 to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- The state of Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media time per day, with any further use dependent on a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to open social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some individuals to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
International Perspectives
Outside of Europe and the US, further countries are similarly exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced stance. Unicef has advised that social media bans carry risks and "might backfire". The body points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for isolated young people and that government action should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to improve child safeguards.
As this global debate continues, the actions of the Australian government and several other countries show that states around the world are less and less content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
