Australia's bold move to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Lawmakers, campaigners, and parents are monitoring intently to see if this strategy will set a precedent for the rest of the world.
European Movement
Throughout Europe, a rising chorus of countries are moving toward parallel measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for children under fifteen, with the leader arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". The policy may be formalized next year.
- Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, citing the need to safeguard young people from the "power of the recommendation systems".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an similar ban could be "a potential options on the table".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has called on parliament to enact a law raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has proposed a ban for children below 15, and a legislative committee has suggested a related action, potentially involving an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The authorities in The Netherlands has urged parents to restrict their kids from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic statement supporting a ban for under-16s unless guardian approval is given. Even though it cautions of the "addictive" design of these services, the step does not enact enforceable legislation.
"A clear age limit is a useful starting point," commented the MEP behind the initiative.
Britain: A Cautious Stance
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a possible ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any decision must be "grounded in strong research".
Previously, 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 administration pledged to investigate the issue.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. One foundation set up by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after being exposed to harmful social media material suggests that a blanket age ban might not protect children and could result in a "dangerous transition" of risk when users turn 16.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the social media companies to build products and services that are safe and suitable for children," stated a leading child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Landscape
Across America, action is mostly happening at the regional government level amid country-wide stalemate.
- The state of Utah mandates guardian permission for those under 18 to use social media and limits late-night use.
- Florida has signed a law prohibiting under-14s from accessing social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
- Virginia has passed a regulation limiting under-16s to a single hour of social media time per day, with additional time dependent on a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have likewise introduced bills requiring adult authorization for minors to open social media accounts.
Despite widespread concern and proposals from certain politicians to follow Australia's path, a US-wide ban is currently seen as unlikely.
International Outlook
Outside of Europe and the US, additional states are similarly exploring options.
- The Malaysian government aims to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
- Brazil has increased the required age for the platform Instagram to 16.
However, global agencies adopt a more cautious tone. A major UN agency has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "might have unintended consequences". The body highlights that social networks can be a "lifeline" for vulnerable children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for social media firms to prioritize user protection.
As this international conversation evolves, the steps of this nation and several other countries demonstrate that policymakers around the world are less and less willing to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
