The Australian bold move to restrict social platforms access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will set a precedent for countries abroad.
European Movement
In Europe, a rising chorus of states are moving toward parallel bans.
- Denmark has stated a ban on social media for youth below 15, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "stealing our kids' youth". Legislation is expected to be formalized soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a minimum age limit of 15, pointing to the need to protect children from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to verify the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools under consideration".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to enact a proposal increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The government in The Netherlands has urged guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the European parliament has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the resolution does not create enforceable legislation.
"A strong age limit is a good first step," said one European lawmaker behind the resolution.
Britain: A Cautious Eye
In the UK, the leadership has remained open to a potential ban, stating that "no option is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Last year, support gathered behind a bill to enact restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Advocacy groups have voiced apprehensions. A prominent charity set up by the loved ones of a young person who was lost after being exposed to disturbing social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for minors," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The United States: A State-by-State Approach
Across America, action is mostly unfolding at the local level due to country-wide stalemate.
- Utah mandates parental consent for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law limiting minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with any further time dependent on parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have likewise enacted measures requiring adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and calls from some politicians to follow Australia's lead, a US-wide ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Outlook
Apart from Europe and the US, additional nations are similarly taking action.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
But, world bodies adopt a more cautious stance. The UN children's agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization points out that the internet can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that government action should not be a "substitute" for platform operators to prioritize user protection.
While this global conversation evolves, the actions of this nation and its followers indicate that governments internationally are less and less prepared to stand by for the industry to make changes on their own.
