The Australian decisive action to ban social networking access for young people below 16 is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are watching intently to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
European Momentum
Across Europe, a rising number of countries are considering comparable measures.
- The Danish government plans a ban on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is introducing a digital wallet to verify the user details of social media users. Officials have stated that an similar ban could be "an measures on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has urged the legislature to pass a bill raising the access age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a similar step, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to restrict their children from social media up to the age of 15.
At the EU level, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement demanding a ban for minors except if a parent decides otherwise is granted. While it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"An effective age limit is a useful first step," said the MEP supporting the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Eye
For the United Kingdom, the government has remained open to a possible ban, stating that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any action must be "supported by robust evidence".
Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced warnings. An organization founded by the family of a young person who died after encountering disturbing social media material suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design platforms and apps that are secure and age appropriate for minors," stated a prominent child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
In the United States, action is mostly happening at the state level against a backdrop of federal stalemate.
- Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits overnight use.
- Florida has enacted a bill banning those below 14 from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has approved a rule limiting minors to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra access requiring parental permission.
- The state of Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed bills requiring adult authorization for under-16s to create social media presences.
Even with widespread concern and calls from various figures to mimic Australia's lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.
Global Views
Outside of Europe and the US, further states are also exploring options.
- Malaysia aims to ban social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the access age for the platform Instagram to 16.
Yet, international organizations adopt a more cautious tone. The UN children's agency has cautioned that social media bans have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for vulnerable young people and that bans should not be a "excuse" for social media firms to prioritize child safeguards.
Even as this international debate unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries demonstrate that states globally are increasingly prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
