The Australian controversial policy to prohibit social media access for those under 16 is sparking debate around the globe. Politicians, campaigners, and guardians are observing intently to see if this tactic will set a precedent for other nations.
Across Europe Momentum
Across Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring comparable measures.
- The Danish government has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the leader arguing that smartphones and apps are "robbing our children's youth". The policy could be passed next 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 recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media account holders. Authorities have stated that an similar ban is "an tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the leader has called on lawmakers to approve a bill increasing the access age for accessing social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a comparable move, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The government in the Netherlands has recommended families to restrict their youngsters from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has approved a non-binding motion supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless parental consent is granted. Even though it highlights of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not establish enforceable legislation.
"An effective age restriction is a useful first step," stated the European lawmaker supporting the measure.
Britain: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has not ruled out a possible ban, emphasizing that "no option is off the table" but stressing any policy must be "based on robust research".
Earlier, momentum built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the matter.
Advocacy groups have raised warnings. An organization set up by the loved ones of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing online content suggests that a blanket age ban could fail to improve online safety and could result in a "dangerous transition" of exposure when users turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to create products and services that are appropriate and suitable for young users," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
America: A State-by-State Approach
In the United States, legislation is mostly occurring at the local level amid federal stalemate.
- The state of Utah demands guardian permission for under-18s to use social media and restricts late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a bill barring those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has passed a law restricting teenagers to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with extra use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced laws mandating guardian approval for minors to set up social media profiles.
Despite cross-party agreement and proposals from certain figures to mimic this path, a US-wide ban is right now seen as a distant prospect.
Global Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are similarly taking action.
- The Malaysian government plans to ban social media for teenagers beginning next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, world bodies strike a more nuanced stance. A major UN agency has warned that age-based restrictions carry risks and "may even backfire". The organization notes that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that government action should not be a "replacement" for platform operators to invest in safety.
While this global discussion continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that policymakers globally are no longer prepared to wait for tech companies to make changes on their own.
