The Australian decisive action to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is sending ripples worldwide. Officials, safety advocates, and guardians are observing closely to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of nations are moving toward similar bans.
- Denmark plans a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM arguing that phones and platforms are "taking away our children's innocence". The policy is expected to be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to enforce a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "an tools on the table".
- In Spain, the president has asked the legislature to enact a law lifting the minimum age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has suggested a related step, alongside an overnight "internet blackout" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The authorities in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for minors without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it highlights of the "habit-forming" design of these services, the resolution does not enact mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a useful starting point," commented the European lawmaker driving the initiative.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Approach
For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but insisting any action must be "supported by robust data".
Previously, support built behind a bill to enact limits on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately weakened. Nonetheless, the government vowed to conduct more studies the topic.
Campaign organizations have expressed concerns. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to harmful social media material contends that a blanket age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "dangerous transition" of harm when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a answer to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are safe and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The US: A Fragmented Approach
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for under-18s to use social media and controls late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting children under fourteen from joining social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule limiting teenagers to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed laws demanding guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to follow this path, a federal ban is presently seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of these regions, further states are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world agencies strike a more measured position. The UN children's agency has warned that social media bans have downsides and "might prove counterproductive". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to improve safety.
Even as this international debate continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers demonstrate that governments globally are increasingly prepared to delay for tech companies to self-regulate.
