The Australian bold policy to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are watching with great interest to see if this strategy will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Movement
Across Europe, a rising number of nations are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark has announced a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and networks are "robbing our youngsters' childhood". A law may be formalized next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to shield young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a digital wallet to confirm the age and identity of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an similar ban is "one of the measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged the legislature to approve a proposal raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a similar action, including an overnight "digital curfew" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has advised guardians to prevent their children from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it warns of the "compulsive" design of these apps, the step does not create enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a solid starting point," commented the European lawmaker behind the initiative.
The United Kingdom: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "nothing is being dismissed" but maintaining any policy must be "supported by robust research".
Earlier, support grew behind a legislative effort to introduce limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually modified. Nonetheless, the administration committed to further research the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity established by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering harmful social media material argues that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the tech sector to design tools that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent peer.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the state government level against a backdrop of national inaction.
- Utah mandates adult approval for minors to use social media and controls overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a regulation capping under-16s to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also enacted laws requiring adult authorization for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to follow Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional nations are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to restrict social media for teenagers starting from next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "might have unintended consequences". The body notes that the internet can be a "vital connection" for isolated youth and that regulation should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this international debate unfolds, the steps of the Australian government and others show that policymakers internationally are less and less willing to wait for platforms to make changes on their own.
