The Australian controversial move to prohibit social networking access for young people below 16 is sparking debate worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and families are monitoring closely to see if this approach will become a template for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Trend
In Europe, a rising number of states are moving toward comparable measures.
- Denmark has stated a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the prime minister stating that phones and apps are "robbing our children's innocence". A law could be enacted next year.
- Norway is set to implement a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to protect young people from the "power of the algorithms".
- Ireland is introducing a online verification tool to confirm the identity and age of social media users. Officials have suggested that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
- In Spain, the leader has called on parliament to enact a bill raising the minimum age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has floated the idea of a ban for those under fifteen, and a parliamentary commission has suggested a similar move, including an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has recommended guardians to prevent their youngsters from social media until 15.
For the broader EU, the EU parliament has adopted a advisory motion supporting a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. While it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the move does not establish mandatory rules.
"A strong age limit is a solid foundation," stated a leading MEP driving the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a future ban, stating that "no option is off the table" but maintaining any policy must be "grounded in conclusive evidence".
Previously, momentum grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by minors, but it was ultimately watered down. Nonetheless, the government committed to further research the topic.
Campaign organizations have voiced warnings. One foundation founded by the family of a teenager who was lost after viewing disturbing platform posts suggests that a strict age ban could fail to make platforms safer and could result in a "sudden drop-off" of exposure when teens become eligible.
"Australia's ban is a reaction to the failure of the Silicon Valley to create tools that are safe and suitable for children," said a prominent online safety campaigner.
The United States: A State-by-State Landscape
Stateside, legislation is largely occurring at the local level due to national stalemate.
- Utah demands guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits overnight use.
- The state of Florida has signed a measure barring children under fourteen from accessing social media, though it is subject to legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a rule restricting minors to 60 minutes of social media access per day, with additional access dependent on adult consent.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also introduced measures demanding parental consent for under-16s to create social media profiles.
Even with widespread concern and suggestions from some figures to copy Australia's example, a federal ban is currently seen as a distant prospect.
International Views
Outside of these regions, further nations are likewise considering moves.
- Malaysia aims to prohibit social media for those under sixteen effective next year.
- The Brazilian authorities has increased the required age for one major platform to 16.
Yet, international bodies adopt a more cautious position. A major UN agency has advised that social media bans pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The organization notes that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for marginalized youth and that government action should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to invest in child safeguards.
Even as this worldwide discussion unfolds, the policies of the Australian government and several other countries show that policymakers around the world are no longer content to wait for the industry to act voluntarily.
