Australia's decisive move to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Officials, safety advocates, and families are watching with great interest to see if this tactic will become a template for countries abroad.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising number of countries are considering parallel measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the PM declaring that phones and networks are "taking away our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to enforce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to shield the young from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to authenticate the age and identity of social media users. The media minister have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the tools under consideration".
- In Spain, the president has called on parliament to pass a bill increasing the legal age for joining social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a legislative committee has recommended a related action, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The government in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their children from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the bloc's legislature has adopted a advisory statement calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if a parent decides otherwise is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" quality of these platforms, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age restriction is a useful foundation," said one MEP driving the resolution.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
For the United Kingdom, the government has kept open a future ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any action must be "based on conclusive data".
Previously, support built behind a bill to enact controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually watered down. Instead, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have expressed warnings. An organization set up by the relatives of a young person who took her own life after being exposed to disturbing online content contends that a simple age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "cliff edge" of risk when users reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the refusal of the social media companies to design products and services that are appropriate and fit for children," commented a leading peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Landscape
Stateside, action is largely occurring at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for minors to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- The state of Virginia has approved a regulation capping minors to 60 minutes of social media use per day, with extra time dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced laws mandating adult authorization for minors to create social media accounts.
Even with bipartisan support and suggestions from certain figures to follow Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
Global Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen beginning next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has raised the required age for one major platform to 16.
But, world organizations adopt a more nuanced tone. A major UN agency has cautioned that social media bans carry risks and "could backfire". The agency points out that online platforms can be a "vital connection" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to improve user protection.
While this international discussion continues, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are no longer content to delay for the industry to self-regulate.
