The Australian decisive move to ban social media access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves worldwide. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
In Europe, a rising group of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister stating that mobile devices and platforms are "taking away our kids' youth". Legislation may be enacted next year.
- Norway is planning to implement a age restriction of 15, pointing to the need to shield the young from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is developing a digital wallet to confirm the user details of social media users. The media minister have stated that an Australian-model ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the prime minister has urged parliament to pass a proposal lifting the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a similar move, including an overnight "internet blackout" for older teenagers.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to block their kids from social media up to the age of 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has passed a advisory statement supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. While it warns of the "habit-forming" design of these platforms, the move does not establish binding law.
"An effective age barrier is a good first step," said the MEP behind the measure.
The UK: An Evidence-Based Stance
For the United Kingdom, the leadership has kept open a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any action must be "based on conclusive research".
Earlier, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end weakened. Instead, the government committed to further research the matter.
Charities have voiced warnings. A prominent charity established by the relatives of a teenager who was lost after being exposed to dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban may not improve online safety and could create a "sudden drop-off" of harm when users turn 16.
"This ban is a response to the inability of the social media companies to build platforms and apps that are safe and suitable for children," commented a influential peer.
The United States: A Decentralized Approach
In the United States, action is primarily occurring at the state level amid national stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure prohibiting those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in court battles.
- Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws requiring parental consent for teenagers to open social media profiles.
Despite bipartisan support and calls from various politicians to mimic the Australian lead, a US-wide ban is presently seen as improbable.
Global Views
Apart from Europe and the US, additional countries are similarly considering moves.
- Malaysia plans to ban social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
Yet, world agencies take a more nuanced position. Unicef has warned that social media bans carry risks and "may even prove counterproductive". The agency points out that the internet can be a "lifeline" for marginalized young people and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize user protection.
While this global discussion continues, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers globally are increasingly prepared to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
