The Australian decisive policy to restrict social platforms access for young people below 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, child protection groups, and parents are observing with great interest to see if this approach will set a precedent for other nations.
European Momentum
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are exploring comparable bans.
- The Danish government plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and apps are "robbing our kids' childhood". A law may be passed next year.
- The Norwegian government is planning to enforce a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard young people from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital ID system to verify the identity and age of social media account holders. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban remains "a potential options on the table".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on lawmakers to pass a law lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has recommended a related action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Netherlands has advised guardians to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
At the EU level, the EU parliament has adopted a non-binding resolution calling for a ban for under-16s without a parent decides otherwise is provided. Even though it cautions of the "habit-forming" nature of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age barrier is a good starting point," stated a leading parliamentarian supporting the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Eye
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a future ban, arguing that "nothing is discarded" but insisting any policy must be "grounded in robust research".
Last year, support built behind a proposal to impose restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization set up by the relatives of a girl who was lost after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when young people become eligible.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to design tools that are secure and suitable for children," commented a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
In the United States, action is primarily happening at the local government level against a backdrop of federal inaction.
- The state of Utah requires guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has enacted a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is entangled in constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has approved a regulation capping teenagers to a single hour of social media use per day, with any further use dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise passed measures requiring adult authorization for minors to set up social media presences.
Even with bipartisan support and calls from various figures to mimic this example, a federal ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
Worldwide Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, other nations are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- Brazil has lifted the access age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, global agencies adopt a more cautious stance. Unicef has cautioned that blanket prohibitions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The organization points out that online platforms can be a "critical link" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
As this international conversation continues, the policies of the Australian government and its followers show that policymakers around the world are no longer content to wait for tech companies to act voluntarily.
