Australia's bold move to restrict social networking access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring with great interest to see if this approach will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
The European Trend
In Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister declaring that smartphones and platforms are "stealing our kids' innocence". A law could be passed in the coming year.
- Norway is planning to implement a minimum age limit of 15, highlighting the need to protect the young from the "manipulative force of the algorithms".
- Ireland is working on a online verification tool to verify the age and identity of social media participants. Authorities have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a law raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In The French government, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a similar action, potentially involving an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in the Netherlands has advised parents to prevent their kids from social media until 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has passed a advisory motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is provided. While it cautions of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," said the parliamentarian driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
In the UK, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "no measure is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "based on conclusive data".
Last year, support gathered behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was in the end watered down. However, the government pledged to investigate the topic.
Charities have raised concerns. A prominent charity founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after encountering harmful online content suggests that a simple age ban might not protect children and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when young people turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build tools that are safe and age appropriate for minors," said a influential peer.
The US: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is mostly unfolding at the local level due to national gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and restricts overnight use.
- The state of Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from accessing social media, though it faces legal challenges.
- The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to a single hour of social media access per day, with any further use needing a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly introduced laws requiring guardian approval for under-16s to create social media accounts.
Despite cross-party agreement and suggestions from various individuals to mimic this path, a nationwide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Worldwide Outlook
Apart from these regions, other states are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to ban social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has increased the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, world organizations strike a more nuanced stance. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The body points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable children and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in user protection.
While this worldwide conversation unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and others indicate that governments around the world are increasingly willing to stand by for tech companies to act voluntarily.
