The Australian decisive policy to ban social platforms access for individuals under sixteen is creating waves around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are observing intently to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for the rest of the world.
Across Europe Momentum
Throughout Europe, a increasing chorus of states are exploring comparable measures.
- Denmark plans a prohibition on social media for under-15s, with the PM declaring that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our kids' youth". A law is expected to be enacted next year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, highlighting the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is working on a digital wallet to authenticate the age and identity of social media account holders. Authorities have indicated that an Australian-model ban could be "an options under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has called on the legislature to approve a bill increasing the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the president has threatened a ban for children below 15, and a government panel has recommended a comparable move, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for 15- to 18-year-olds.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged guardians to block their children from social media up to the age of 15.
Across the European Union, the EU parliament has adopted a symbolic statement calling for a ban for under-16s unless a parent decides otherwise is given. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" quality of these platforms, the step does not establish mandatory rules.
"A clear age limit is a solid first step," stated a leading European lawmaker behind the measure.
The United Kingdom: A Watchful Approach
In the UK, the administration has not ruled out a possible ban, stating that "nothing is off the table" but insisting any decision must be "supported by robust evidence".
Previously, momentum grew behind a legislative effort to introduce controls on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Instead, the administration committed to further research the matter.
Campaign organizations have expressed apprehensions. An organization founded by the relatives of a girl who took her own life after viewing harmful social media material argues that a strict age ban may not improve online safety and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when users turn 16.
"Australia's ban is a answer to the refusal of the social media companies to build tools that are secure and suitable for minors," stated a influential child protection advocate.
America: A Decentralized Picture
Stateside, regulation is mostly unfolding at the regional level due to national stalemate.
- The state of Utah requires adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a law barring children under fourteen from creating accounts on social media, though it faces court battles.
- Virginia has enacted a law capping minors to one hour of social media time per day, with additional use needing adult consent.
- Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed measures requiring guardian approval for under-16s to open social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various politicians to follow this path, a US-wide ban is presently seen as a distant prospect.
International Perspectives
Beyond Europe and the US, additional countries are also exploring options.
- Malaysia plans to prohibit social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the required age for Instagram to 16.
However, international organizations strike a more nuanced position. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions have downsides and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that online platforms can be a "critical link" for vulnerable youth and that bans should not be a "substitute" for social media firms to improve user protection.
Even as this worldwide discussion continues, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are increasingly willing to delay for tech companies to make changes on their own.
